Contributed by Stephanie Staples at Your Life Unlimited
“Doctor, help, I feel like a pair of curtains!
Pull yourself together then!
***
I had to pull myself together after watching ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’, the Mr. Rogers movie, and then again when I watched the documentary about this gentle human (Won’t You Be My Neighbor) on Netflix. It was the inspiration I needed, right when I needed it.
Fred Rogers exemplified believing in and living one’s mission. He did things his way even when everyone else was going the opposite direction. Despite criticism and mocking he never wavered in his quest to make children feel valued, loved and important; he left a remarkable legacy.
It made me think.
Week after week I write this e-newsletter. Imperfect, mistakes and all, and throw it out to the world. I try to use my voice to shine a little light or spread a few ideas of positivity. I try to use my mistakes to learn a better way.
Someone asked me if I write the e-newsletters to get business; do I get business from this e-news? No, I don’t think I do actually.
So why do I bother to do it? Hmmm. Good question, I ponder that question, ‘Why bother?’
And then I know the answer.
Because once in a while someone writes me a note like this…
“Your story of the singing on a delayed plane gave me the courage to try something this morning.
It was my last day riding the #54 express bus to work. I’ve been riding it off and on for about 20 years, so I have some bus buddies plus a bunch of people that I recognize. When most of the people were on board and we entered the express part of the route, I walked up to the front and announced to everyone that this was my last day on the 54 because I was retiring, and I had treats. That made them take out their earbuds! I passed out candy canes to everyone.
You have inspired me to take the leap and put myself out there with a surprise for a load of bus buddies as well as some newbies. Thanks for demonstrating to me that it’s okay to do stuff outside of the norm and do some random acts of kindness.”
Fred Rogers and the beautiful woman who wrote me this note (and many others who cheer me on) inspire me to keep writing. If I inspired her to perform that act of kindness and courage, maybe someone that witnessed or heard about what she did will be inspired to do their own version of kindness and courage, so I hope the ripples continue.
The belief in my mission – to leave the world a bit better than I found it, and knowing that even if I don’t receive a note, a pat on the back, an award, or a cookie every week, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t time well spent.
Why do you do what you do?
What does it do for you?
How does it contribute to the world?
How can you feel acknowledged even if the world isn’t acknowledging you?
Doing what you do (whether it be on TV, writing an e-news, or being kind to a stranger) because you know to the core of your being it’s what you were put on this earth to do, because you can’t not do it, because the world needs it and because it feels right, well that’s just one more way to live Your Life, Unlimited – whether you get kudos or not.
143, Steph
PS – if you have to choose between the movie and the documentary, I’d go for the doc!
PPS – Do you have a documentary you loved? Please let me know!
**
Different groups, different countries, different talks – same results…
“Eye-opening.” Autumn Moor, Respiratory Therapist
“Eye-opening for high-performance businesses.” Isaac LeClair
“Eye-opening.” Margaret LaFrombroise, Presentation Medical Center
And a twist…
“Steph really opened my eyes, she inspires me to be better.” Madison Allison, Shoreline Orthodontics
* Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), conferred by the National Speakers Association is the speaking profession’s international measure of professional platform proficiency. Less than 10 percent of speakers have earned this credential and are recognized as some of the best in their fields. Stephanie was one of only five professional speakers in Canada (and the only woman) to attain this designation in 2013.
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