A Daily Look Within – Day 23
A friend offers to throw out my napkin for me.
Drivers let you onto the roadway in front of them.
A neighbor shares from their veggie garden.
A stranger strikes up a conversation waiting for the bus.
Someone gives you a hug (in person and/or online) because they feel you need it.
Little gestures can come unexpectedly and make a difference in life. All come with a lot of gratitude to the persons and an acknowledgement of the way things work in a positive way.
There are times, though, when offers of help just are not well received. On most days, I am fine with accepting a “No, thank you” from someone who does not need assistance when it is offered. It is their choice whether they are comfortable with the process. Some people prefer to handle things themselves, or may have already delegated bits and pieces of what needs to be done to others.
Communication plays a big part in a lot of this, admittedly. If we do not first convey the offer of assistance, the other person would not know. It is as simple as that. The other person recognizes help or support is there and can decide if they want to join in it. It can be an inclusive process, when people collaborate to get something accomplished.
We may also recognize people who enjoy using what we might call “selective” communication. Folks may share on a “need to know” basis, and it is up to them to decide who needs to know. It can be frustrating when we have to deal with anyone who communicates or operates in a way that may not always mesh with how we work. However, it takes some looking within to figure out if the frustration comes from the other person, or from our own discomfort with the process.
