Over the course of my life, I’ve been the student and the teacher. Sometimes, I’ve been each simultaneously. I’ve taught people skills that have taken them to career paths they might have never expected. I’ve learned that people don’t always know what you’ve given…freely.
Yes, I long for two simple words. I don’t want praise. I don’t want titles. I don’t want monetary compensation. Just acknowledgment that what I’ve given…hasn’t gone unnoticed. Just two words.
I’m sure I’m guilty of the same faux pau…not acknowledging someone’s contributions to my livelihood. If you’re reading this…I offer you two words for everything you’ve done for me. “Thank you.”
I never expect the same response in return. Never. Some relationships become so toxic and misconstrued that even time doesn’t heal them. I find this very disturbing and unfortunate. Life is too fragile for us to hold grudges against one another for petty reasons.
And of reasons comes reasoning. So many lifeforms on this planet can reason. Why is it that humans have such a difficult time with this concept? Why do we consider “bridges burnt”? Do burnt bridges not get reconstructed? Do damaged highways not get repaired. Why then can we not do the same with personal relationships?
Why can’t a single act of kindness be acknowledged? Why can’t a lifetime of love outweigh a single mistake? How many times shall I forgive someone? As many as it takes. That’s the simple answer. Every time.
If you think I’m carrying around some issues…you’d be correct. And you’d also be correct to feel I’ve reached a breaking point in my life. Too many issues have collided in my life over the last few months. And more pointedly, over the last few weeks. I won’t burden you with the details…they’re issues that I’m having difficulty resolving.
As a parent, as a friend…have you ever dealt with the feelings of failure that overwhelm your joy in life? You’re reading the words of someone who is neck deep in these feelings.
Try to use two words to describe yourself. I can use “giver” and “fixer”. And at first glance, they sound like two excellent traits. And they are when they are in action. I find joy in giving freely and fixing the impossibly broken. But what about the human aspects of these two words? Yes, I can give material goods, and I can fix material items. But something I have yet to learn is how to fix broken relationships…no matter how much I give. Somethings are simply out of my reach…out of my control. And one thing a “fixer” simply can’t handle is lack of control.
Hand me anything electronic and I’ll find a way to fix it. Period.
If I have the ability to “give” anything…it’s yours. No questions asked. I find joy in giving. I find joy in bringing just a little of the same into someone else’s life.
I openly teach anything and everything I know to whoever asks. I don’t ask for anything in return.
We’re instructed by the Bible to do the following;
1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Those are words to live by even if you aren’t a Christian. They hit at the core of what humanity “should” be. Not what it has become.
When someone offers you help…take it…acknowledge it. It only takes two words.
Thank You.