Happy Birthday Mahatma Gandhi!

“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing 
would suffice to solve most of the world’s problem.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

I posted this story a few months ago.
Today, in honor of Gandhi's birthday, it seems like the perfect time to repost.

I recently read a story about a man who dreamt he was a softly moving beam of light floating through a crowd. The dream prompted him to consider the impact he had on others as he moved through his day. He made the decision to literally be a 'beam of light'.  He made a commitment to bring warmth and light to his personal '10 foot zone".

There are people who light up the area around them naturally. We had a coordinator's meeting today and watching the crowd dynamics was fascinating. We have a couple of people whose positive energy radiates well beyond 10 feet!  (Linda, Roy and Kathryn, to name a few!)

Wouldn't it be phenomenal if we would all become aware of the warmth we can extend to others, whether in an increasingly long line at the post office, a traffic jam or passing a neighbor? A smile and a kind word can make all the difference. If they don't smile back, we shouldn't take it personally. We never know what is going on in people's lives. But most of the time people will be receptive, and they'll probably pass the warmth along to others. 

We can't control what is happening in the world, and the media makes us very aware of the ugliness and injustice. Yet we are much more powerful than we realize. Extend a warm smile, a sincere compliment, gentle reassurance -  it doesn't cost anything to use our boundless source of love and energy to make the world a kinder, gentler place. We all have the power to impact our own 10 foot radius. If each one of us commits to that small area, and all of the circles connect, the impact would be immeasurable.