I'm not asking about the impact your family and friends have on you...that's a given. But, think about this...someone asks you for a quarter so they can use a pay phone...you think nothing of it...hand it to them...and they are able to call the love of their life and apologize for a misdeed or something and it totally changes the course of their life...all because you were right there with a
quarter.
How often do you think that happens? And do you know if it has ever happened to you?
2006-12-16 23:56:06 · 9 answers · asked by gotalife 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
We can't know the real mathematical answer to this, cos it could happen every second of the day. But I love the 'pay it forward' principle, and with my Wiccan beliefs, it makes a lot of sense (whatever you put out comes back to you three times).
You can make random connections all the tiem - I remember once having been unemployed for about a year, and running into a homeless guy, talking to him for about 20 minutes and giving him some cash that I really didn't have spare. Next day I got a job earning more than I'd ever earned before...karmic pay it forwardenss? Who knows.
The one occasion I was clearly in the hands of someone else's kindness was on the road to my wedding. We had to get a license signed, and all the web information had said we didn't need to book an appointment. When we got to the office, they said they wouldn't be able to sign us up till a month after everything was scheduled - people coming over from the States, hotel booked, honeymoon sorted etc etc etc.
We begged, we ran, we buggered about...it all made no real difference until one smiling little man at the Registry Office took pity on us, and said he'd stay late to fit us in. His one signature was the difference between our plunging into misery and our pathway to married bliss. We thank him regularly in our thoughts...
2006-12-17 00:58:43 · answer #1 · answered by mdfalco71 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every person we meet or just acknowledge leaves an impression and sometimes that impression can impact us in a good or bad way. In a perfect world our eyes and hearts would be constantly in tune with the needs of those around us. Even now with our hearts eager to lend a hand it is impossible to see the amount of people impacted by one unselfish act. All of us impact those around us and that ripples on and on to people far beyond what our eyes can see. And the reverse of that is true as well. I can't count all the times that people have impacted my life by being there at just the right moment or just acknowledging me with a smile.
Good question. It has made me stop and think about what is really important in this world.
2006-12-17 00:45:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We meet countless people throughout our lives. Only a few have a lasting impact. I believe that you meet everyone for a reason. Everyone has some purpose, something to teach us about ourselves, life, love etc. Meeting my boyfriend has changed my life in many ways but I had already taken steps to change my life which led to our meeting. I believe in destiny. If I hadn't moved to this city, hadn't heard about this bar for songwriters, hadn't been on stage singing then I couldn't have seen him out in the crowd saying "I'm your biggest fan!" & raising his hands in the air. It certainly got my attention. He's a singer/songwriter/musician too. He's also a sensitive, philosophical Taurus like me. We could tell the night that we met that there was something between us. He said he knew when he looked in my eyes, that he could see the passion, the being inside. He's the one. The man of my dreams and he's helping me to fulfill my other dreams.
You never know what might happen. Meeting someone can change your life.
As a rule, it's better to be kind. One small act of kindness to a stranger could have more of an impact than we realize.
2006-12-17 00:38:36 · answer #3 · answered by amp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We meet millions. Just millions!! How many have an impact? So very few I'm afraid. But there are those that do. Like the time I was driving down the interstate and I had a horrible sound start coming from my car. And a man driving in the lane beside me is motioning for me to pull over. And he pulls in behind me...... and changes my flat tire for me. An angel I will never see again. But one that was there at just the right moment!
But I do believe in "Pay it Forward." He did for me..... so I stop and help people now...... just knowing how it feels.
But what you speak of is even more intricate. Giving and making a difference in something that you aren't even aware of. Those are the times when giving seems that much more amazing. Like a person saying they bought an extra lottery ticket and offering it up to you. And *BOOM* you win a million dollars. Who knew?? But the generosity and giving of one...... gave so much to another.
So what do we learn from this. Give.... always give. You just never know how your generosity or your helpfullness will bring more than even your intended gesture.
wow..... can you imagine what the world would be like if we were all this way?? *sigh* Ok....... we can at least dream about it.
2006-12-17 00:17:23 · answer #4 · answered by Marianne not Ginger™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We meet to many people to count in life.
Some leave a great impact,and some not.
I like the little act of kindnesses one receives on a daily basis , even if it is only a smile....that so can brighten your day.What I do about every day,I let someone get in front of me on the road,someone in a car that waits to get a chance to get on the main road ,but everybody is so busy ,they don't stop.I do....and sometimes the person that I yielded to does the same to another...that is so great.
Little things....that's what is cool.
The negative situations exist too,but one does not want to think about it.But they are there,and they also have great impact.
I was affected by an attack that almost cost me my life.And I dwelled on it,for years and years,till some pure hearted person taught me that not all is evil out there.That I can trust...and that impact is something I will always carry with me,that overshadows all other,makes everything else insignificant....smile
Thank you
2006-12-17 12:50:15 · answer #5 · answered by Einstein 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Random acts of kindness opportunities are abound all over.
Whether or not we choose to impact someone elses life by taking advantage of these opportunities is up to us.
I was thinking today of a Salvation Army bell ringer outside of the local Walmart here . I went there the other night and the guy was freezing , as it was one of the coldest and windiest nights in a while. I thought of bringing him some hot coffee or hot chocolate to warm him up, but decided against it, because I was too much in a hurry. Now I regret that decision.
You can bet if I see him again on a cold night, i'll stop at the convenience store across the street and bring him something.
2006-12-17 02:14:22 · answer #6 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think about this all the time..
Ok, i'll tell you something about my life. I was bullied in grade 9. I had volleyballs thrown at my head, got told i would be hot if i were white, totally degraded by my teachers, etc. etc. etc.
And i honestly felt like i was going to kill myself.
Seriously.
It was the small comments that left such a huge imprint on me.
And then i heard a story of a guy who was known to be the class clown and he was so popular and well-liked. He killed himself. And nobody understood why.
The whole point of this little escapade of words is that people fail to recognize their effect on others.
They don't think 'beyond'.
They just see what 'is' and judge or whatever else they feel like doing in the moment.
Thus, i have learned that every single person i will ever meet in my whole life will mean something. Even if it's just a few words exchanged or a quarter given or whatever else, we affect each other in ways we could never imagine.
Therefore, i think it happens ALL the time but most of us never take the time to realize it.
2006-12-17 11:00:36 · answer #7 · answered by falzalnz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It always amazes me when people stop on the road if someone has a car problem. It has happened to me numerous times over the years. They change a flat, or give you a lift to the nearest garage, etc. with only a thank you from me and that is enough.
There is only one person that has left an impact on my life and I will never be the same again. I thank god every day for him and that I can be his friend.
2006-12-17 10:24:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
EVERY SINGLE ONE !!
tiny or great impact, but they all make impact!!!
I believe nothing in our lives is coincidence
this my impact to you and you to me ;)
2006-12-17 16:08:13 · answer #9 · answered by anchovy_ICS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋