Another "gem" from the conference I attended last week was listening to Mark Rittenberg, Ed.D. in a class on The Power of Communication in Coaching. He recounted a story from a Special Olympics event to demonstrate just how loud our actions speak. You may have already heard it, but if you are like me it will still bring a sense of hope and joy to your heart and energize you to pay attention to what truly matters in life.

"A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.

All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back. Every one of them.

One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better."

All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing:

What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves.

What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course."

As you go through your week, be on the lookout for someone who could benefit from your time and attention. Without worrying about all the things that you "should" be doing, take some time to do something that would bring a little joy into their life. It might be listening to your child or partner when they have had a difficult day (without being distracted by thoughts about your unfinished to-do list), taking an elderly relative who can no longer drive out to dinner, babysitting for new parents so they can go to a movie, or calling a friend who has been laid off to let him/her know you are cheering for them on their next interview.
Take some time to reflect on how good it feels to do something for someone else with no expectation of the favor being returned.
It's energizing because "What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course."