Tags
200 words, believe, caring, community, compassion, concern for others, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, empowering, encourage, integrity, mission, Nelson Mandela, passion, peace, Purpose
A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of. ~ Nelson Mandela
photo credit: iamwilling.com
Yesterday I googled ‘Mandela quotes’ and the quote above jumped out at me. Why? Simply because I have a passion for community.
It got me to thinking though. Do I really live my mission to relate with, promote and speak community wherever I am?
For the most part I think I do because it’s such a big part of who I am.
As a boss I strove to empower and encourage my team.
As a mother I strove to do the same for my daughter.
As a friend I also do this.
But what about my neighbour, the cashier at the grocery store, the random encounter with a distraught stranger?
If I’m being honest, it’s more ‘hit and miss’ in this arena. It seems less automatic for me.
But all is not lost. Being aware is half the solution.
I commit to being more intentional about all facets of community.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
Are you living your mission?
talktodiana 
I’m sure you’re too tough on yourself Diana, but I agree awareness is a good first step.
LikeLike
The truth is, I wasn’t beating myself up, it was just kind of an aha moment for me. The fact that you want to encourage me though means a lot to me. Thank you!
LikeLike
Sometimes it seem like it is easier to interact in meaningful ways with some communities than others. For example, I’m more likely to show concern for people in communities that I have recurring interactions with than with a store clerk at the mall. That said, your post makes me think about how the store clerk at the mall fits into my communities. As you said, being aware is half of the solution. 🙂
LikeLike
A good point Sheryl And darn that awareness thing, huh? With much knowledge comes much responsibility!
LikeLike
My ‘community’ services has been one of the things that I have felt guilty of sacrificing as I have traversed the aspects of my own personal crisis. Reading your posts regarding ‘random encounters’ has made me think that, maybe I haven’t (been so neglectful). Or put it another way, thanks for the reminder that these types of actions – however seemingly small – are just as important to community well-being as larger actions such as solving world hunger and world peace etc. Kindness at the individual level is where we can all start. Thanks.
LikeLike
Your comment makes me smile Elizabeth. I was just thinking those larger actions like solving world hunger are amazing and necessary. The smaller actions that are one-to-one and often done on the fly without pre-planning are the ones that have lasting effects. I mean I can think of single actions done to me that I will never forget, that changed my life forever and make me want to pay it forward over and over and over again. Like a drop in the water, the ripples go on forever…Make sense?
LikeLike
Yes, I do. I too have been the beneficiary of a random act of kindness that truly impacted me and something that I will never forget. I try and remember to pass such actions on.
LikeLike
Nelson Mandela has left an incredible legacy for all of us. I agree, if we would all choose to begin with awareness, I believe it would have a huge and positive impact on all. As always, you are an inspiration, Diana. xoxo
LikeLike
Thank you Mrs F! ((((hugs))))
LikeLike
I LOVE this post, Diana. I believe it is hit or miss for almost everyone. If it weren’t, life as we know it on this earthly plane might prove to be largely a waste of time. We are all still learning, still focused on growing. Thank you for modeling honesty and vulnerability. It is a gift you give to me and the world.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your kind support and encouragement Russ.
xo
LikeLike
I think it is hit and miss for most of us well I know it is for me
LikeLike
that’s mighty kind of you to say Joanne. ❤
LikeLike
Awesome post Diana! You gave me something to think about.
LikeLike
That’s great Shian – thank you!
xo
Diana
LikeLike
I think that being aware is such an important step, Annie
LikeLike
Me too Annie. Without awareness, why would you act?
LikeLike
You probably are more caring than you realize. Nice post and thoughts.
LikeLike
In a discussion with my daughter a few years back, I responded to something she asked by saying that I cared about people. She said, “Mom, it’s not so much that you care as it is that you are facinated by people…” I think it’s a little of both, maybe… 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve been thinking about Nelson Mandela a lot this week. He was a bit of the inspiration for my own blog post this week called Soul Man. I am in such awe with the power of his presence in peace, which he never compromised regardless of how badly he was treated personally.
It is this characteristic that links me to your post. That ability to show up in front of everyone, every day, no matter what has happened to us, and engage essentially with whoever is in front of us as if they are, in that moment, the most important person to us. To be present for whoever we are with and to always bring what we stand for with us.
Thanks for a very thoughtful post.
LikeLike
I’ve known a few people like that, the ones who make you feel like you’re the most important person in that moment. I want to be one of those people. Thanks for your thought provoking comment and BTW, loved your Soul Man post.
LikeLike
Nelson Mandela has been one of the people who has inspired me, especially how he could forgive those who had wronged him. However, in regard to your comment on peace, if you have read his autobiography you would understand that he constantly grappled with a conflict within him of peace / inner peace and ended up choosing the former (ie: the cause of freedom and peace for his people). In doing so he had to give up his own inner peace of being the ‘perfect family man’ of caring for his mother as she was aging (even before his imprisonment) and being there for his children on a daily basis; and this filled him with great angst. I think that it is his admission of his own personal ‘shortcomings’ that made him so admirable.
LikeLike