I had an epiphany the other day: Why not set an aspiration to “leave all relationships richer than before?” This would change the original basis of all interactions at the root. My thought is that this is the fastest way to “leave the world better than I found it.” Enrich them, allow them to enrich you.
The truth is that compassion, generosity and love are infectious, and they ripple out to affects hundreds of people around us every day. What better way to change the future? My desire is to align my relationships with honor, respect and desire to do well by them. That changes the focus from me getting from them, to me giving the best I have to give and then letting go of it with honor and respect. Of course, in the course of things, we make messes, deal with conflicts, contrasts and differences. It is the game of life. How we experience the separation depends on the lens we wear when the relationship comes apart.
In the game of life, I have found out that it is not the score that matters. What matters is how I feel as I play the game. What matters is that I am in the game, not benched on the sidelines. I have learned that life is a stretch…that is the point of it. We grow…or not…and in the process I can get a little bloody (some of us bleed more than others). And sometimes I score and it is a beautiful thing. Sometimes its a bit not so pretty, but it is a score. Sometimes I’ve gotten hammered. Sometimes I foul, sometimes they do.
I’ve learned that it is best to cry foul, get the ball back in play and measure the score at the end as to whether or not you enjoyed the experience of playing the game itself. You know you have done well, when your competitor, says, with a smile on his face…”I loved the game, you are an awesome player and a great sport!” When you agree, ahhhh, pride in achievement. We were both enriched…and revitalized. And inevitably everyone else we encounter that day will be enriched. This is the real ‘pay-it-forward relationship’. It is life in action.
