Imagine the Difference You Can Make

by Sandra Hendricks
(Idaho, USA)

We enjoy doing things that others may notice, without knowing who is noticing. One day we saw that one of our neighbor's cows was coming out into another neighbor's hayfield. Mark jumped on a horse and herded the cows back through their escape spot as I collected tools to fix the fence. As we repaired the fence, it was rewarding to know we were helping both neighbors, without desiring recognition. It did not matter if they recognized what or who accomplished this. We cannot know if anyone noticed the repair job, but we are certain that someone is thankful. You see, we took action for us!

Another time while I visited my mother, I noticed that her neighbor had a weedy flowerbed. I sat down in the sunshine and proceeded to pull weeds. It was awesome to take in the feeling that I was making a difference to another person. Mom came out and in her surprise asked, "What are you doing?" Then she rephrased her question, "Why are you doing that? Does she know you are weeding her flowerbed?" I finished weeding; I went back into the house with a feeling of accomplishment.

We can do things for others without any expectations of gratitude, and feel great! In fact, many times I believe it is more rewarding to know that someone will notice what I did. It is fun to imagine them wondering who did it. Perhaps the neighbors wondered who fixed the fence. It is likely that someone driving by said, "Look they fixed their fence." Maybe the elderly woman’s family came to visit and surprised her when they told her that they see she weeded her flowers, and it looks nice. Doing something for another person is really something I do for myself.

We can be giving in a huge way when we set out to do things for ourselves, knowing that others benefit. This is what I call being one hundred percent selfish. When we do things for ourselves, we are being selfish, and in turn being, giving. When we do something for another in hopes of a thank you or recognition, we are less than 100% selfish. Therefore, we are only being partially, giving. To whatever degree, we are selfish we are equally giving. Fifty percent selfish equals fifty percent giving.

Does this whole idea sound self-centered? To me, self-centered is when we think of what we will gain from another through our kindness. Do we really need other people to make us feel good? I believe in working for nothing, and doing this, I gain a lot of pleasure, through my imagination. Imagine the feeling that another will feel from their surprise and delight – through wondering.

We can be 100% selfish without remaining anonymous. We can pick up trash along the roadway or in a parking lot and feel wonderful, even if we are unseen. We can return grocery carts into the store without anyone noticing. Eventually, though someone is going to notice, and think that it is terrific. The person retrieving carts before closing may not know why there are fewer carts outside than usual. Nevertheless, they will still think it is awesome! Work for the fun of surprising others after you have left your mark and see how great you feel about yourself. Imagine how good the person will feel about you, even if they cannot put your face to the deed.

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