The Opposite of Love isn't Hate... It's Indifference...
Big thought coming! The opposite of love isn't hate. It's indifference.
My good friend Don shared this thought with me during a Customer Service Experience learning program we were delivering to a major motorsports organization. The profound nature of this statement and the emotions tied to it blew me away.
It still blows me away.
How often do we pass by people without acknowledging them? Way too often. As Lance Secretan says in his great books (you need to read them!), we are all connected. Every time we pass by another human being - another soul - without acknowledging them - we miss an important opportunity to share our humanity and to lift others up.
Why do I do this? I really believe it is an unconscious act. Sometimes I get so busy in life working on the tasks that I am checking off my list that I forget the important things. Perhaps you find yourself in the same place.
One day, I will die. And the question burning in my mind right now - and I know I will ask myself it - did my impact on this world matter? Did I make the difference I could have? Treating others indifferently leads to only one thing - more indifference.
How do people act when they are treated with indifference? Indifferently. We are emotional creatures. What is done to us, we do to others. The opportunity is to create a different story - a story of hope, optimism, love, and difference-making.
While shopping at Target the other day a woman walked by me and looked me right in the eye and smiled. It warmed my heart. I remember thinking, "Wow!" I found myself a bit refreshed. I found more energy in that moment and afterwards.
One of our clients has a powerful Difference-Maker on their bus. Her name is Maureen. When I call, I always hope she answers the phone because the warmth is amazing. At our zoo, they have some tortoise turtles who love to bask under heat lamps. That's how I feel when I talk with Maureen... Warm. And when I see her - she greets me with a warm smile and a warm two-handed handshake. Maureen lives the opposite of indifference. She's a Daymaker of the best kind!
You know what? I get a lot of energy from others who treat me with kindness. I hope I am doing the same through my efforts.
Let's make indifference an endangered species. One small act - repeated several times a day - by greeting and acknowledging those we meet will touch their hearts and who knows - it might even save a life. Acknowledgement is the ultimate form of Daymaking that I can think of. And interestingly - I am not sure whose day is made better - mine or the other persons.
Copyright 2006, Chris Young, The Rainmaker Group - Helping Teams Maximize Possibility - 701-530-0806 - chris@therainmakergroupinc.com - www.therainmakergroupinc.com
Comments