When hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast of the United States this week I was physically more than 10,000 miles away but my heart still was firmly at home with my friends and family. While I was worried about our house and the people that I love I was taken aback by something very surprising that happened… I started to get texts and tweets and emails from people that were also worried about my family and had them in their thoughts.
While storms can absolutely cause devastation, as demonstrated by this Frankenstorm, it also can bring communities closer together. My sister & parents? No power. They are now at friend’s houses that welcomed them with open arms. My flooded house? Neighbors offered to check it out and try to help. I’m inspired and touched by their offers. People took this moment to look up from their own busy lives to connect and care.
This storm also made the world more connected. My daughter’s friend here in Central Australia watched news about the storm on CNN and her Mom was motivated to send me a text and her daughter called with concern. Before we moved to Central Australia, NYC was just a dot on the other side of the globe for that family. Now there is connection – we are a part of a common web.
I may not be able to reach out and physically help but I can take the lead from my friends. I can continue to pick up the phone long after the debris is cleared from the road. We all can continue to take this sense of shared concern and transform it into shared caring about what matters to each of us: family, connection, making a difference… life.
This is also an opportunity to give money to support those that were impacted most severely. I’m going to personally take my concern and desire to help and channel it though monetary support of an on-the-ground organization that can help people rebuild. For me that choice is the American Red Cross.
Ask yourself where you can make a difference. Invite someone over to dinner and charge their phone if you have power and they do not? Make up your sofa bed? Share the heat in your home with a family that is cold in their own. Generously give of your time? Money? Bottom line: Don’t reserve your caring and generosity for times of adversity, you can make a difference every single day of the year.
The best way to get out of “woe is me” and into celebrating life and showing the world your personal leadership is gratitude. I’m grateful for all of the people I know that show up with heart and share it so generously. Thank you!
What are you grateful for today?
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