I was given a rare opportunity to speak with individuals that I have had the privilege of working with over the last 20 years. As I was contemplating how to thank them for the impact that they had on my life, it dawned on me that our lives are a continuous series of cause and effect.

If I had not been open to “that” idea, I never would have succeeded in …
If I had not met “him/her”, we would never have …
If I had gotten “that” job, then I wouldn’t have had the drive to …
If I had not gone out of my way, “that” I would never have …
If I had I not collaborated with …. then we wouldn’t have created …
If I had not taken “that” risk … who knows what my life would be like

A long time ago, I did something that seemed insignificant at the time. I taught someone how to use their computer. When I was done, they thanked me and went on about their business. Time then passed.

One day, unsolicited, I received a call from a local college, offering me a contract to teach computer classes. I had no credentials and had never taught computer classes before, so understandably I was puzzled as to why the college reached out to me directly. When I questioned them, they said that someone well respected by the college community recommended me. They proceeded to tell me the name of the person. I had never met this person, nor did I have any idea who they were.

Accepting the College contract triggered a domino effect that changed the trajectory of my life, both personally and professionally. I eventually tracked the person who made the recommendation, introduced myself and asked them how it came to be that recommended me. Turns out that the individual that I had taught how to use her computer was a friend of theirs. They shared their experience and said that I should be teaching others. 

Each decision we make, and each action we take (or don’t take) affects not only our own lives but the lives of those we engage with. Sometimes we get so caught up in our day-to-day lives, just trying to make it through, that we seldom take the time to reflect on the impact that we have had on others or the impact that others have had on us.

Take time to catch your breath, count your blessings and reflect on how you may have impacted someone’s life or how someone impacted yours.

I would love to hear your stories.