The Web We Weave

 

When I saw this poster from Hay House I was reminded of the old Christmas movie It’s A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reed (1946). It’s a movie I watch every Christmas now (well except this past one for some reason I missed it).

I was chatting with a friend in the last few days and reflecting on how many lives we have the opportunity (privilege) to touch and be touched by in our life times. I can truly say that I have directly touched and been touched by literally thousands and thousands of individuals whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing in the last 50 years. As a minister I served in the smallest of churches and in a couple of rather large ones too. I served on various committees in different communities and made many friends too (and I didn’t even have to pay them to say they were my friends either).

Lately (and I’m not sure why more lately than in the past) I have stopped and pondered how different my life would be if I’d not been touched by so many. This doesn’t even begin to include those I’ve read or watched or researched or even the Internet!!! I remember reflecting on the little church I grew up in just outside of Montreal. Life seemed so huge and scary at times then. Now I look back and see that it was just a mere taste of what was yet to come. And I plan to live for another 50+ years yet! How many more will I know.

But, without any narcissism, I wonder how many of the lives that I’ve been touched by have been touched my things that I have said or done (both for the best and not so much the best). Why is it that we have to wait until a person has died to hear about all the wonderful things they’ve done? Why is it we wait until after they are dead to do this for those who’ve touched us?

So my encouragement for the day is for you to find a few people from long ago to just a few moments ago who have made some sort of impact (even if it was perceived as negative, think of who you are now because of that impact) on your life. Can you send them a note, email, card, letter, text or even some grateful energy??? I know how I feel when someone tells me that I’ve had an impact in some way on their lives. Why not pay it forward??

The Web We Weave