“The way you see people is the way you treat them and the way you treat them is what they become.” Johann Wolfgang Van Goethe.

Recently, whilst out shopping I unexpectedly met a lady who used to work with my late mother. She told me she was sad to learn of my mother’s passing and was glad she had been able to attend her funeral as she hadn’t been able to visit her for a few years due to the Covid pandemic.

The lady explained that when she started work my mother took her under her wing and showed her the ropes. She made it clear that my mother’s guidance had helped her to grow and develop. She said that she was very fond of my mother, who she said was like a second mother to her.  She described my mother as kind and very wise. It was so nice to hear how my mother had made such a difference to the lady’s life and had left a positive lasting impression.

My mother was kind, she loved people and helping others brought her joy. However, she would have been a bit embarrassed by such praise as she was very modest and unassuming. She never sought the limelight or to be the centre attention. That said, inwardly she would have been pleased and proud to hear that she had left a positive lasting impression.

My unexpected interaction got me thinking about how we never really know how our words and deeds influence the people we meet and interact with. I concluded that each moment of our life presents an opportunity for us to make a positive difference to the world and to build our legacy. It also brought to mind the following story:

The Wise Woman’s Stone

One day a wise woman was travelling in the mountains, where she found a precious stone in a stream. The next day, she met another traveller who was hungry and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food with him.

The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so immediately and without hesitation, even though she knew how valuable it was. The traveller left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. However, a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

“I’ve been thinking,” He said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I want to give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious.”

“What is that?” the wise woman asked.

“Please can you give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone?”

This week why not take a few moments to reflect and think about how someone’s else’s wisdom has positively impacted your life. Consider how you can use your gifts and talents to positively impact the world in your daily interactions and in doing so help to build your legacy in a step-by-step way.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk