Life's Invisible Hand

Personal miracles over the last week.

Life’s Invisible Hand

When we talk of “The Invisible Hand” it generally references to the power of the market place in business.  It is one of the principal tenets revealed in Adam Smith’s, “The Wealth of Nations.”  But this week I was able to experience a different type of “Invisible Hand” first hand.  It isn’t the first time I’ve had this type of experience, but in this case it has served as an important reminder about the world in which we live.

Have you ever had the impression to make one phone call?  At the time you made the call you had no idea why you needed to make the call?  But, that one call caused a positive cascade of events to occur that you could have never foreseen?  That’s what I mean by “The Invisible Hand.”

I wish I could explain more about this to you, but I don’t understand how it works or when it works.  All I know is that I’ve seen it work time and time again, so I know it’s real.  Perhaps that’s one of the keys to harnessing its power?

 I’ve watched this type of thing happen over and over again so you’d think I would have an unshakable belief in The Invisible Hand.  But perfect belief is one of those things I haven’t fully mastered yet.  Maybe that’s why I don’t see its work every single day?  I have noticed one thing though; when I get into a situation where my belief is waning, the best way for me to move back into successful belief is to focus on gratitude while looking for the coming miracle.

I’ve found that this combination, though seemingly unlikely companions, is the only sure way to recover my belief and movement toward success again.  Combining these two tools has proven to itself to me time and time again.  It will work for you as well.

Give it a try.  As you go about your day today focus on what you’re grateful for and watch for a coming miracle in your business, spiritual or personal life.  Set your sites on small goals that will move you to achieve the progress you’re working toward, be grateful for the success you’ve had and then actively take steps to meet your objectives. Then watch the Invisible Hand prepare for and facilitate your way.  

When it happens, notice it!  Be grateful for it! And keep the process rolling forward.  There’s nothing like living an unfolding miracle!  Let your miracles reveal themselves today.

Sheldon's Gentle and Good Touch

Broken ceramics, a twisted rooster and a ninety-year-old man

Sheldon’s Gentle and Good Touch

I walked into a new building filled with a locally owned and operated business.  It looked like the kind of place where I could get the type of old fashioned service lots of people crave these days.  The shop was busy.  There was an interesting mix of people all around me; young people, old people and some just in between.   Some were looking through the surrounding shelves, but most everyone was gathered around the counter of this old fashioned Pharmacy.

I was there to pick up some medicine for the first time.  I had stopped in a couple of days earlier to look at some ice packs and had been impressed when the owner of the store had come out from behind the counter to speak with me in a friendly and helpful manner.  It was his desire to be helpful that encouraged my return.

Then, as if to cry for communal focus, there was a crashing sound behind me.  I watched as more than fifteen heads all turned in an effort to see what had been broken.  It was as if we were all in a restaurant and someone carrying arms full of plates dropped them in heap.  No one moved except to turn their heads back to a forward position.  There was nothing to see, since the shelves were blocking our view, so the short-lived unison came to an end.  But it was not the finish.

 

There was quiet movement detected from my left eye and I turned slightly to watch Sheldon Birch leave the Pharmacy counter and venture to the aisle where the crash had originated.  Then I saw his head sink below the shelving and disappear.   I was curious so I carefully walked in that direction to see what was happening.

I found an unobtrusive vantage point and observed Sheldon kneeling on the floor next to a man who looked frail and aged.  I’m not a very good estimator when it comes to age, but this man was old indeed.  If I were to venture a guess at his age it would be very close to ninety.  Sheldon was talking in quiet, gentle tones assuring this elderly man that everything was alright.  They were both picking up the pieces of broken ceramics and a metal rooster.

I almost walked over to ask if I could sweep the specs of disaster up.  I took one-eighth of a step and froze as I saw Sheldon help the older man up and assure him once again that the rooster could be put back together and the other items were, “no big deal.”  It was a display I’ll never forget.

The man said, “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Sheldon patted him on the shoulder and said, “Good, I’ll see you.  Thanks for coming in!”

No one else in the store knew what happened.  Sheldon simply walked back to the counter and began to help others.  As I picked up my package Sheldon saw me walking toward the exit.

“Do you have any questions I can help you with, Lynn?”

I lurched at the question!  I had only met him once a couple of days before and was stunned that he remembered my name.

“No, thank you!” I replied.  “I really appreciate your help!”

The questions I should have asked, wanted to ask were: “What has made Sheldon such a kind, gentle man?  What have I done to be fortunate enough to have met him?  Why didn’t anyone else in the store see what happened?”

I kept those questions hidden in my throat and heart.  I’ll keep asking them to myself along with:  I watched what happened and have a new imprint for good, gentle behavior, so what am I going to do about it?  I want to be better now because of Sheldon’s gentle goodness.  Will you go about doing good in a kind, gentle way with me today?

Never Lose Heart

“Lose heart and you lose everything.”

- Proverbs 4:23

Never Lose Heart

I was reading about one of my favorite people this week.  He was born 1870.  When he was forty-four World War I began.  It ended in November 0f 1918 and he was sent shortly thereafter to assist in the rebuilding of Europe.  He returned to the United States in 1921 and began to work as a volunteer in several organizations such as the Sons of the American Revolution and the Boy Scouts of America.  He continued his community work throughout the Great Depression and World War II until he passed away just after the end of the war in 1951.  I have read many of his writings, through the years, but never took the time to look at the world through his eyes in time until now.

Seeing history through his eyes has changed my whole view of him as well as of the way I look at today’s world and its potential futures.   As I took a chronicled look back at his life as a reference in his contemporary world, his very stature grew immeasurably in my mind.  I now see a man who, when faced with some of the most challenging events in world history, stood tall.  He never lost heart!

This new approach, for me, of combining the study of history while looking through its contemporary lives has given me new hope.  It has shown me that one life can make an amazing difference even when everything good and wholesome seems to be on the verge of total collapse.  I can look our current challenges squarely in the face now, knowing that others before me have faced as great or greater challenges over most of their lives.

There may be a time when the hearts of men and women fail, but it will not be this day if you will join me by going out and doing good.

Will you be my Hero?

“I wake up every morning and say, this is going to be a good day!”

- Brad Dahl

Will you be a Hero?

I have found a lot of people to admire through the years of my life.  Most have been introduced to me through books, radio, film or sports.  But more and more I am discovering them through personal interaction with those whom I live and work with.  Such was my discovery again today.

I stood speaking with my friend Brad Dahl today and during our conversation he said, “I wake up every morning and say, this is going to be a good day!” 

It seemed to me that the words spilling from his lips were the wisest expression for each of us.  So many times before, I have listened to such words without recognizing their impact on me and the world.  But this day, Brad reminded me that I am in charge of my life; and you are in charge of yours.  He reminded me that the best way to have an impact on the world is to become my best and offer my best self to my neighbors, town, state, nation and the world; asking nothing in return.

My true heroes, like Brad, go about their lives working to become better on the inside.   They ask for nothing else.  They offer encouragement through example with every step they take.  It makes me want to be more like them and to focus on becoming better inside myself.

Nothing will have a better impact on your life and the life of others than for you to become the best you can be.  I am looking for another hero to show me the way.  Will you be that person?

Lessons from a Little Red Sports Car

My friend Mark’s restored red corvette.

Lessons from a Little Red Sports Car

I went to visit my friend Mark at his home the other day.  I knew he liked to restore vintage cars but I was not prepared for what I saw in his garage.  As soon as we walked through the door I saw a beautifully restored gas pump standing next to an old rusted gas pump.

“This one looked worse than this one when I got it in Montana.” He said as he pointed at the two gas pumps.

The pump of the left looked brand new while the one on the right was rusted and worn.  I was amazed at my friend’s talent as I surveyed the gleaming transformation to my left.  My eyes darted from left to right as I looked at the two starkly different machines.  Then something bright and shiny caught my eye a little further to the right.

It was a little red, convertible corvette!  And, just like the gas pump that had stolen my eyes away it confiscated my vision completely.  I looked at every perfectly painted curve and each tucked hem of the upholstery.  It was flawless, I thought to myself and it was at that exact moment that I learned some life changing lessons.

First, there are times when you will see your life as if it is old, tired and rusted away.  When that happens, take a long look in the mirror and see the beauty that is still there, just below the surface.  With a little planning and elbow grease it can be restored to a wonderful luster.

Second, Mark told me that he doesn’t have to recreate every part of the cars he restores.  There are companies that specialize in providing perfect reproduction parts.  He calls on them when he needs some specialized expertise he hasn’t yet cultivated.  So, when you face challenges you don’t have experience in overcoming; simply call for some assistance from someone who knows the ropes that seem to be binding you.

Third, some things, like the retractable soft top, take a lot of stretching and pulling in order to get them into the right position.  What matters here is that you have a frame work with which to work.  Without the proper plan it’s impossible to get the right solution to fit.  Make sure you take time to create the proper plan before you try to fit a solution to cover it.  Lots of people would say they just don’t have the time make or follow a plan, but when viewed in this light you can see that to get the best result there is no other substitute for the perfect framework.

I was looking at the perfect framework, properly restored so I had to ask the perfect question.  “Do you ever take it out and drive it?”

“I take it out all the time.  I love to drive it!” Mark replied.

I looked back at him with a smile.  Who wouldn’t love to drive a perfectly restored classic? Then I saw my reflection in the glass.

 

I saw a classic that could use a lot of restoration!  I allowed my eyes to swim over the rest of the beautiful car and said to myself, “Yes! I have a lot of work to do, but I’ll be a beautiful thing when I’m finished.”