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What image do you get when you think about helping others? A typical vision is of someone performing an act of kindness
or providing a resource to someone in need. This form of helping definitely provides assistance and is beneficial, but there is also another form of helping that is effective, positive role modeling.
I consider being a positive role model one of the most potent forms of helping others. I like to call it “being a beacon”. I think Marianne Williamson said it best in her letter titled Our Deepest Fear; “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same, as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Even though I believe that the original thought of helping others can provide needed assistance, I believe that becoming a beacon for others to follow is not only helpful for others but for ourselves as well.
It’s amazing to see the capacity of humanity at work. One of the best examples of human “beaconism” is that of Roger Bannister. Roger Bannister was the first man to ever break the 4-minute mile in track and field. At that time the common belief was that it was humanely impossible to achieve that feat. On May 6, 1954, Roger achieved the impossible; he ran the mile in under 4 minutes. This had never been done before in the history of track and field. However, once Roger broke the record, the ‘four-minute barrier’ has continued to be broken by many track and field athletes and is now the standard of all professional middle-distance runners. It’s amazing what happens when one person chooses to break limitations; it creates a new reality and a beacon for others to follow. I believe we are all capable of this in some way, shape or form.
I would like to help as many people as possible, but unfortunately, resources are limited. In addition, you can only help a person so many times before they become dependent on your help. Instead of taking an external approach to this scenario, what if we approached it in an unconventional way? Instead of giving fish to the needy, why not teach them how to fish by serving as an example?
I challenge you today to allow your true light to shine and become that beacon that so many people desperately need. It’s a small act that, if done collectively, can truly make a difference in the world.
Great article and so very true. Being a positive example is what we should all strive after for our own benefit as well as for others. Helping others can be a natural off-shoot… share the love of life, the planet, and of fellow man!
Equally important is to strive NOT to bring others down or take away from their self esteme. Every day is a good day to be alive… and, yes, each day is likely to have negative moments… Recoginize that others may have bad moments, but appreciate that they are still in there swinging and strive to lift them up!