Noises

So I have a habit that started several years ago.  When I come into a room or see folks, I tend to greet the room or the people with a turkey noise that has been described as my “bloopbloop”.  (I also tend to have a lot of “bloops” in my speaking but I will leave that one for another post.)

One day about twelve years ago I had been training a new therapist to work with high risk families and it was our last training day before I moved on to another program.  As we were on our way to work with the family we had been assigned to she asked me a question.  “I don’t want to sound stupid” she said, “but I have been curious about this and I wanted to ask as I might not ever see you again.  Why do you make that strange sound all of the time?”

I told her she would have to wait but that I would tell her before the day was over.  Later that day we were driving back to the office and I made my little sound and she laughed and said “That is crazy!  Why do you do that?!”

I asked her what her reaction was when I just did it.  She said “Well, I laughed.  It’s funny.”

This, I told her, is the reason.

Life is made up of moments.  We have what we might describe as “good” moments and what we might describe as “bad” moments.  And at the end of the day if you have had more good moments than bad, you might say it has been a good day.  And, at the end of the week if you have had more good days, you might say it was a good week.  And at the end of the month, at the end of the year, etc.

And what is so awesomely powerful about it is that we all have the amazing opportunity to effect the moments of each person with whom we come in to contact.  The way in which I effect others’ moments is very important to me.  I have come to realize that when I make a silly sound, when I respond with mercy rather than judgment, when I listen rather than ignore, when I love rather than not, I can effect a moment of another’s life.

I am thinking about the moments of my day today.  The interactions I had with people.  How did I impact their moments?

It is a great responsibility we all have.

A dear friend of mine recently had a waitress spill lemonade all over her.  This was a moment in the waitress’ life.  My friend responded in kindness and I have no doubt that this had a dramatic effect on what kind of moment it was for the waitress.  I wonder how it effected the rest of her day.  Was it easier for the waitress to be kinder to others?  Maybe to her coworkers or her customers or maybe even her kids?

A few years ago, I stopped making that strange turkey-like sound.  Recently, I have started again and I think I will continue with the same frequency I always did.

I get to effect other people’s moments whether I realize it or not.

I am thinking now that maybe being aware of it and consciously making the effort to help people have good moments is a pretty cool thing.