Want to Change the World?

This essay originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 1/6/20.

First Monday of 2020! How are we feeling? For some of you, it may be the first day back to the regular routine. If needed, make sure you check out the tips shared last Monday aimed at overcoming the post-holiday blues. Hope they help. 🙂 

If you are reading this and feeling overwhelmed by the excess of “NEW YEAR, NEW YOU” messages or the pressure to define the perfect New Year’s resolution, I think today’s topic will resonate with you.   

Today, I wanted to write about a simple practice that could be adopted as a resolution, if you are looking for one. 

I hesitate to even use the label “resolution”. Don’t panic. This is not a resolution that requires you to spend money, cut out favorite foods or go to a specific workout. This is something you could easily do today. For free. With a little amount of effort. In fact, all that’s required is asking yourself a simple question.

What if this year you paid more attention to the energy you are sending to other people? 

This week, I came across the following quote:

You don’t have to move mountains. Simply fall in love with life. Be a tornado of happiness, gratitude and acceptance. You will change the world just by being a warm, kind-hearted human being. – Anita Krizzan 

I loved it because it reminded me how easy it is to have a positive impact on others. Every day we have the chance to control the energy we exude through our actions and words. But most of the time, there is too much going on and our to-do lists are too long. It’s easier – but not as fulfilling – to just operate on auto-pilot.

So what if this year we ditched those perfectly defined New Year’s resolutions and instead made 20 in 2020 lists and adopted the following simple practice. 

Imagine the impact we could have if we took a second to ask “how do I want the other person to feel after this” before walking into a meeting, eating dinner with a significant other or friend or taking kids through the bedtime routine. 

For example, picture if before you phoned your grandma, you took a moment to identify that you wanted her to feel loved and valued after the call. You might find that you give your undivided attention, ask more questions and talk less. My guess is not only does your grandma walk away feeling loved and valued, but you too walk away a bit happier and more fulfilled. 

If you are intrigued, why not try asking yourself this question throughout today? See if your energy changes and if your mood lifts. I think by focusing on how we want others to feel, we not only impact others, but also allow those feel-good feelings to boomerang back to us.

As one of favorite authors Gretchen Rubin says, “One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.”   

Don’t underestimate the power your small actions hold. And remember, you can change the world by simply being a warm, kind-hearted human being.  

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