Over the Winter I served as an “official” at a community sponsored Guinness Book of World Records event. The goal was to break the “linked arms toast” record previously set at around 460. As an official I could not take part in the “toast,” but the toast was not official unless there were “officials.” I had no doubt that we would break the record, but I was in the minority on that. Many people who came early to set up were worrying about reaching the required number.
The worriers said “It is too bad you don’t count.” Or “Why can’t you be counted too?” I patiently explained that we were acting as “official observers” and therefore needed to be considered “neutral”. I must have had 5 or 6 people say the same thing. I guess I developed a complex because eventually I said “I count, in fact if I am not here you are the one who doesn’t count.” (The perfect conversation ender!)
This experience really made me think about how we decide the importance of others. We go through life having daily contact with people who we think “don’t count.” He is just the grocery clerk, the garbage man….she works at McDonald’s…oh, that’s just the maid. We don’t see these people as important and often assume that they would rather be like us.
Think about this a minute, what would being you be like if there was no grocery clerk, garbage man, McDonald’s server or maids in the world? Can you feel the hunger of having no groceries or headache of having to use the self-serve checkout with no assistance? Can you smell the garbage that has piled up on the curb? Do you miss you Big Mac and fries? How’s that hotel room looking without the maid?
As much as we strive for independence we must remember that we are all interconnected and dependent on other people using their talents and having diversity in their ability and capacity. Everyone has value and "counts" and anyone who can’t see that is probably living in fear of not counting themselves.
I know a few people who go out in the world and look into people’s eyes on a daily basis and recognize the value in others. But realistically, most of us don’t always do this. We get caught up in my own problems and busy schedule and forget to look up and say thank you in a way that says, “I see you and appreciate you.”
Yet some days I catch myself and make an effort to make connection to everyone I come into contact with. It always makes for a better day! Give it a try yourself. As you move through your day take a moment to look others in the eye, even in the briefest of interactions. Offer a smile and go on with your day. Observe how it feels and let me know how you feel about yourself and your day afterwards.
REPEAT as often as you can.
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