Street People

We all have moments when we feel stuck. We feel like maybe what we are doing is not actually making any difference. We ask ourselves, "Does my impact amount to anything more than just adding to the noise of society?"

Virtual platforms are important. They get our face and name into a hugely influential world. But what about the impact we have on the real, tangible world that surrounds us?

Back in the winter, when I was carrying on small talk, like face to face human interaction, I casually mentioned that I would be moving. Not really thinking that this would matter much to anyone, I was constantly amazed at the same reaction I received from just about everyone, "What! You can't move!".
"Don't worry", was my surprised reply. "It's just down the street".

If you moved down the street, would your current "street people" care?
Does your life raise or lower their cortisol levels? Does the way you speak and influence them increase or decrease their inflammation? If our bodies are directly influenced by our mental health, and our mental health is directly influenced by human interaction, then your "street people" should probably care. Whether they care because they'll miss you, or they care because they can not wait to get rid of you lays a bit in your court.

When I moved and my street people cared (in a good way), I realized that even when I felt stuck, even when I was sure my work was not making a global impact, there was a whole world right in front of me being impacted just by living in connected kindness and respect.

The good news? We all have that power when we walk out the door. How we choose to use it is up to us.