A few years ago, Jan Douglas sent me the message below. Jan is a colleague, client, friend, and avid Monday Morning Stretch subscriber who often takes the time to leave comments on our weekly blog.
I’ve been writing my Monday Morning Stretch for nearly 20 years, and while some weeks we get loads of great comments and notes of appreciation, other times it’s easy to wonder if there is anyone out there reading these articles at all. So, it was meaningful to me to receive this heartfelt message from her.
Her comment and the story she forwarded from acclaimed writer, Elizabeth Gilbert, reminded me that there are daily opportunities to “bring the light” to situations, individuals or teams, and through our daily work and lives. Don’t let the current news or contentious political season harden your heart or cause you to become cynical, pessimistic, or disconnected from the goodness in the world and in everyday people. We’ll not only find evidence of what we’re looking for but also a boomerang of what we contribute, invest, and support.
This week, be the light that Gilbert talks about and that her muse, a NYC bus driver, “one of society’s most invisible workers,” demonstrated.
From Jan Douglas:
I just read this wonderful post and you, Katherine, came to mind. When I asked myself why I thought of you, I realized it’s because you are always lifting others up with your stories. So I’m just passing this along in the hopes that maybe it will make you smile in the same way you do for others. ♥
“… Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus in New York City during rush hour. Traffic was barely moving. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated with one another, with the world itself. Two men barked at each other about a shove that might or might not have been intentional. A pregnant woman got on, and nobody offered her a seat. Rage was in the air; no mercy would be found here.
But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom. “Folks,” he said, “I know you have had a rough day and you are frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here is what I can do…. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand, okay? Don’t take your problems home to your families tonight, just leave them with me. My route goes right by the Hudson River, and when I drive by there later, I will open the window and throw your troubles in the water.”
It was as if a spell had lifted. Everyone burst out laughing. Faces gleamed with surprised delight. People who had been pretending for the past hour not to notice each other’s existence were suddenly grinning at each other like, is this guy serious? Oh, he was serious.
At the next stop, just as promised, the driver reached out his hand, palm up, and waited. One by one, all the exiting commuters placed their hand just above his and mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm. Some people laughed as they did this, some teared up but everyone did it. The driver repeated the same lovely ritual at the next stop, too. And the next. All the way to the river.
We live in a hard world, my friends. Sometimes it is extra difficult to be a human being. Sometimes you have a bad day. Sometimes you have a bad day that lasts for several years. You struggle and fail. You lose jobs, money, friends, faith, and love. You witness horrible events unfolding in the news, and you become fearful and withdrawn. There are times when everything seems cloaked in darkness. You long for the light but don’t know where to find it.
But what if you are the light? What if you are the very agent of illumination that a dark situation begs for? That’s what this bus driver taught me, that anyone can be the light, at any moment. This guy wasn’t some big power player. He wasn’t a spiritual leader. He wasn’t some media-savvy influencer. He was a bus driver, one of society’s most invisible workers. But he possessed real power, and he used it beautifully for our benefit.
When life feels especially grim, or when I feel particularly powerless in the face of the world’s troubles, I think of this man and ask myself, “What can I do, right now, to be the light?” Of course, I can’t personally end all wars, or solve global warming, or transform vexing people into entirely different creatures. I definitely can’t control traffic. But I do have some influence on everyone I brush up against, even if we never speak or learn each other’s name.
No matter who you are, or where you are, or how mundane or tough your situation may seem, I believe you can illuminate your world. In fact, I believe this is the only way the world will ever be illuminated, one bright act of grace at a time, all the way to the river.”
~Elizabeth Gilbert
Thank you, Jan, for forwarding this story, for your kind comments and undying support, and for being a true light in the darkness yourself!
Comments
What a beautiful story! Jan is right! You do this Katherine in every encounter. Your MMS, for your friends, family, clients and audiences! How fortunate we are to know you!❤️❤️????????
I think I’m think I’m the fortunate one, Linda! You’ve always been one of my biggest champions and you exemplify the lesson in this story.
What a beautiful story! Jan is right! You do this Katherine in every encounter. Your MMS, for your friends, family, clients and audiences! How fortunate we are to know you!❤️❤️????????
Thank you Jan- I love this story. And, I’m a BIG fan of both Elizabeth Gilbert and Katherine E Belt. Let us all shine our light brightly. M
ay the light in me acknowledge the light in you. Namaste
As I am a big fan of you, Janet! Namaste.
Such a powerful reminder that we play a powerful role in the experience we and more importantly others have each day. My appreciation for you Katherine too often goes unstated. But let me say loud and proud today, I appreciate you!!
Back at you, friend! Thanks for the sweet reply.
This is very powerful and heartwarming. Thank you for sharing, I have enjoyed your Monday Morning Stretch for many years!
So glad to have you in our community, Lori. Thanks for taking a moment to leave us this kind comment. We appreciate you!
Great story! Jan is such an exceptional being. I sure hope that this is one of those weeks when you, Katherine, know we are all out here listening even if we don’t always say so! ????
Always know you are in my corner, Bev. Thanks for being another bright light in my life.
Oh I love this! Thank you for sharing
This story is right up your alley, Brenda! Glad you liked it.
Awesome story – a great reminder of
how a small gesture can change the world but also change someone’s life! Thank you for sharing to start the week on a bright note!
So happy you enjoyed it, Ann-Marie. It really is a great story and lesson for us all. Here’s to a terrific week ahead where we can positively impact many lives.
Katherine,
I look forward to your emails every week and read them slowly so I can absorb all the content. Even though I do not leave a comment, know that I am enlightened and learn so much from your message. I hope you continue to be a true light for all of us! I’m sure I’m not alone; even though many of us don’t take the time to respond, we fully appreciate your blog. Thank you so much!!
Oh Tracy, your comment warmed my heart. I’ll never again wonder if people are out there reading and appreciating the weekly Stretch! Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind note. It means a lot to me.
Wonderful message, Katherine! Thank You for sharing and for your spirit of ‘Being the Light’!
Thank you, Gary. It really was a wonderful story with a great lesson. You always bring the light too and I appreciate you and your spirit of generosity and abundance.
Thank you for sharing this, and, as always, the light that I get to receive from you every Monday. <3
Thank you, Tiffany. Makes me so happy to know that you’re enjoying these weekly musings of mine. Here’s to an awesome week ahead!
The Monday Morning Stretch is your hand held out for us. Thank you Katherine.
Oh Pip, it’s so nice to know that my friends “across the pond” are also with this group of like-minded people. Thank you for continuing to be such a longstanding part of our community. I appreciate you.
I too regularly read your MMS and loved the k forward to the gems you share. Keep being my light!
Thank you, Margy, for such a kind comment. So glad you’re part of our community.
I have enjoyed your weekly blog for years and haven’t written to let you know what it means to me to find it in my inbox every week. Your faithfulness, insight and transparency is very much appreciated and sometimes is my high point on many busy Monday’s.
Cindy, your comment means the world to me. It really is amazing to know that each week the Stretch is lifting others up and making their Monday just a little bit better. Thank you for taking the time to send this comment.
I love this story. We can all be the light in some ones life at some point. You never know when a smile a hug or a listening ear can change the thought patterns and perspectives of others. I find most people just want to be heard and or project their anger, sadness and other negativity onto others. When I smile or say hello it changes things for them if only for a moment. Our world is suffering. I do pray that we can all (from time to time) step out of that perspective and be a light for others. Thank you Katherine for sharing. It validated my thoughts.
Valerie, your thoughts are spot on… the world is suffering and sometimes the best thing we can do is be the light for others when all they can see is darkness. Keep being that light and thank you for taking a moment to share your thoughts with us.
Back at you, my friend! Your Monday Morning Stretch is always a “go-to” for me. You have been the light in the darkness for me many times. Love and Hugs. ♥
Goodness, Jan… just look at the lives we were able to touch through me, through you. I love it! Thanks for being you and being such a shining star in our industry.
Great heart warming story. I have retired, but still enjoy your articles each and every week. You are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for being YOU and sharing.
Thank you, David, for this kind comment! How nice to know that these weekly messages aren’t just for work but also, as I had intended, for our lives in general. I’m touched that they are still part of your week and that you are enjoying them still. Thank for being a part of our community.
As always a Monday MUST! Thanks again for the beautiful ray of light. I feel the warmth each week even if it is crickets you hear in return. Sending you the biggest, too long of a hug. xoxo, B
Brandi, if ever there was a bright light in the form of a human… it would be you! So glad you’re in our community and our industry. I feel you out there always!
Katherine I can only imagine the smile on your face as you scroll through all of these heartfelt comments. That story brought good tears. Thank you for sharing this and all of the weekly encouragement / motivation / challenge / kick in the butt that you do. I and the team always appreciate them 🙂
Ryan, you are always a bright light, and I so appreciate all the support you have shown me over the years. So blessed to have you in my corner and as a cherished friend. Give my best to that stellar team of yours. I miss seeing all your bright faces!
Jan’s story is so moving. I have been with you Katherine and reading your ” Monday Morning Stretch ” ever since my team and I visited you for a meeting in CA over 10 years ago.
The gift you give us every Monday is a true inspiration of your personal charity. I look forward to reading it every Monday morning. I read them often to our team in our morning huddle meeting.
This story moved many of my team to tears.
Thank you for your continued inspiration.
Phillip Perry D.D.S.
Dr. Perry, your response touched me deeply. Thank you for being a great leader and such an important and fabulous part of our LionSpeak community!