In an earlier post about trying to resist yielding to my ego in social situations, I wrote:
It’s helpful to remind myself that the person I’m talking to is as much a child of God as I am. Focusing on their inner divinity snaps me out of my self-absorbed mindset and naturally produces feelings of empathy, compassion, and love.
While waiting for a routine blood draw today in a medical office, I decided to swat my ego away, take the initiative and transform the way I interact with people. Here was my two-part plan:
1) Go to my heart, so I could come from a loving place instead of from an intellectual point of view.
2) Silently say to the person in front of me, “Look how beautiful you are! How can I express my love for you? How can I serve you?”
I tried my new approach with the nurse receptionist and with an older man who shared an elevator with me after the appointment. The results were immediate! In both encounters, as soon as I went to my heart and affirmed those words, they instantly brightened up, smiled and began a cheerful conversation. My ego was a non-factor; I felt only the desire to listen attentively and be fully present. It was transformative!
I’m excited to practice this exercise as often as I can remember to, which I hope is most of the time. Giving up the need to impress others or to “be” somebody is tremendously liberating. Best of all, connecting with others more deeply and lovingly is a rich and wonderful reward.
Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.
Og Mandino
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
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September 30, 2010 at 4:50 PM
That is an awesome plan, Phil! I’m eager to try it out myself. Og Mandino’s words have been copied on a Post-it that will go on my monitor as a daily reminder to be selfless. :)
September 30, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Awesome, Serena! Good luck!
September 30, 2010 at 5:38 PM
I loved this post!! I aim to do the same inshaAllah :)
“Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” -THIS IS AWESOME!! :D
September 30, 2010 at 5:44 PM
Awesome indeed, Sameera! Let me know how it goes!
September 30, 2010 at 9:53 PM
This is incredibly yet simply beautiful. Thank you for the gentle reminder, the type of communications you are so talented at blessing us with. We’re lucky to have you, Phil. Hope all is well :)
September 30, 2010 at 10:01 PM
You’re very welcome, Missy. Let me know how the exercise works for you!