What’s Gone Well Today? ®
Here’s an easy way to recognize others… and in turn change how we look at our day, and our life.
When has someone made your day with the service they’ve given, or something they’ve said or done for you? Sharing these moments may inspire others. They lift the spirit!
On another note asking someone What’s Gone Well Today? ®, becomes life-changing. Conversations have a fresh, inspiring perspective.
In the larger picture our tools help individuals and organizations become more empathetic. We would love to hear from you! Please share an experience that’s gone well in your day.
I asked some students at our home who were some profs who inspired them. One of them was Bruce. I emailed him and after 2 weeks we met for 5 minutes during his very busy office hours. Here he shares a ‘Classroom Moment’ in his career:
A 4 page article, ‘The Promise’ by Charles Wright Mills prompted a new direction in his studies and his life, and continues to influence his teaching. Each day in class he shows the beauty of the shades of gray in life.
I had heard that a neighbour had an apple tree hat was not being picked. I discovered he is a talented garden designer that is largely undiscovered. He was impelled to make these installations because he saw that nature was disappearing from our yards. After listening to him I asked him if Leonardo DaVinci was his hero. He said he was, in fact he has his name as a tattoo on his leg.
Took some friends out for dinner to the Thai Lemon Grass restaurant, our favourite restaurant. Our friend ordered one thing, and then reconsidered, but was going to defer and just keep to her order, not wanting to slow things down. Glad she reconsidered and gave herself the treat. None of us were in a hurry at this lovely restaurant.
My bike light stopped working and I assumed it needed new batteries. I bought expensive rechargeables and found the light still didn’t work. I took the light and batteries to the electronics store and at first they were not very helpful, and I left. I then reconsidered and returned and asked to try out the light with standard batteries. It still didn’t work. I asked for a refund for the rechargeables and they gave it to me ( advising that is not standard practice.)
I went to my cycle shop and bought a light with a USB charger in it. The owner thanked me for writing a positive YELP review earlier.
My feeling around this transaction totally changed when I decided to not go along with poor service, or lack of empathy.
A talk with two special friends
On the bus ride downtown this afternoon bus was crowded. After standing up part of the way I worked my way near the back of the bus and saw a pack on a seat between two 30ish men. I asked if I could have it on my lap and sit down. They agreed and introduced themselves.. Joe and James.. good friends with some developmental challenges. Very friendly and willing to engage. I asked them what it takes to engage with strangers. James thought about it and then said, ” Practice.”
They shared a story of someone asking them for money quite aggressively and being able to not get taken. It was a lovely TravelerInYourOwnTown experience.
Lining up two repair guys to come to the house can be tricky. I set up the times. Turned out both were late, and the gas fellow needed a phone call as we had set this up 6 days earlier. It all worked perfectly. The gas fellow brought an interesting assistant with him. When the owner couldn’t turn a nut, he gave it to his younger assistant who asked for a third wrench and was able to use leverage to loosen it. I’d never seen that technique before. Since he was already there I had him check out another feature of our gas stove — a central griddle element – that we’d never used, and had recently cleaned. Love an educational opportunity.