Comments

Getting a bit personal, aren't we? LOL. That's okay, Tom. If you don't make it "personal" (as in what are YOU going to do about it?) then it's all just academic, isn't it? I like this kind of personal. Bring it "home" value. Calls for real, deep, creative thinking. And maybe an honest, well deserved self-lashing.

Thank you.
I AM thinking. Hard. Probably all weekend.

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 1, 2009 5:09 PM

Can very easily list a lot more than 5 who have contributed to my own development in the last 24 months. I will think hard about those “Whose development I’ve contributed to! Directly! And Profoundly!”...... Sorry can’t do it right now Tom ... Just about to go to bed …. Maybe I will dream it!

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 1, 2009 5:43 PM

Interesting, Like Trevor the list of who has helped me springs to mind easier than who I have helped. A good exercise... but why wait till Monday. I'll save that for my diet, this kind of stuff works on weekends too!

Posted by Fred H Schlegel at May 2, 2009 8:37 AM

I've taught web (blogging, social media) to 100+ in my office for the last 10 months. Must admit at times my patience and my time constraints have been tested without really feeling rewarded...until I read this post. There are a flourishing group of success stories I know I've contributed to...despite the failures of those who want me to do it all for them. Sometimes the reward is realizing that you did in fact contribute. Combine that with realizing who has given to me and this has been a most gratifying conversation.

Posted by Greg Cooper at May 2, 2009 3:10 PM

I can readily list 5 people who I have poured into in the last 24 months and they will probably agree that our relationship has made a difference. It has in my life. I do not even engage in such without the intention of making a difference in the lives of others. Our intentions and corresponding actions really do matter.

There are also countless of people that I literally meet daily that I try to DO or SAY something impactful or meaningful. Often they are people that I have never seen before and will probably never seen again, but in those few minutes at the market, dentist, park, etc., a soulful connection is made that truly makes the difference.

Sometimes it does not take something big, sometimes a simple smile makes all the difference in the world, allowing another who has had an incredibly difficult day a bit brighter. This will impact their day. It has mine on such a day.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 2, 2009 3:33 PM