Everyone Deserves Your Everything

I recently had the following experiences:

About a year ago, I met with someone to discuss the future of a project that we would be working on together. This particular person had been significant to me because she had been (unbeknownst to her) very influential in my life as I made big decisions. Anticipating my meeting with her was very exciting and I prepared my content and my mind for the time I would get to spend with this women who had, in some way, changed my life. 

The time with her was uplifting and thrilling. I felt lucky to be in the same room with her throughout the meeting. She treated me as her equal and I felt privileged to be able to even sit at the same table with her.

About a week later, I had a conversation with a mentor that helped me learn even more from this experience.

I was on the phone with a mentor getting advice about a social venture that I have thought about for a long time. He had worked with a non-profit organization that helps youth turn their lives around and leave their mistakes behind them. As our conversation was coming to a close, I asked him, "What was the most influential thing that you learned while you worked there?"

He responded by saying, "Everyone deserves my everything." 

This simple phrase ran through my mind again and again. I thought of how much of my attention and respect that I gave to the woman from the first story and wondered what it would be like to have that same perspective about everyone I come in contact with.

With time, I have found that as I give my everything to others, I am able to love them more profoundly and positive relationships have been formed.

 Some Things to Ponder.:

How often do I "give my everything" to others?

What feelings are associated with "giving my everything" to others?

When is it difficult for me to "give my everything" to others?

How can "giving my everything" affected my relationships?


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