Some Words Stick
While in Los Angeles earlier this week, I had an unexpected but refreshing interaction. A woman approached me and said, "You're the 12% guy!!!" I had no idea what she was talking about, to be honest. She went on to explain how she saw me speak at an event earlier in the year. It was regarding a story I told about my first meeting with my friend, Gary Hoag. Here was the interaction:
Gary: "Are you generous?"
Me: "Yes I am!"
Gary: "Why do you say that?"
Me: "Because I give 12%, and 12 is more than 10." #facepalm
Gary went on to explain how true generosity isn't a number, but rather the product of giving joyfully and sacrificially.....which contextually looks different for everyone. In my case, 12% wasn't sacrificial at all. I share how Gary's words in this conversation profoundly changed the trajectory of my life.
I often use this story in my talks for a few reasons:
1) To highlight a healthy biblical perspective of giving: joyfully and sacrificially.
2) We need to be genuine and occasionally laugh at ourselves
3) It shows how we all can grow in our generosity.....even naive and selfish people like younger me.
As this woman told me the story, she concluded by expressing how that talk completely changed her perspective on giving. More importantly, she was able to let go of so much guilt and self-talk. Or, as she put it, "For the first time, I was able to give from a place of joy."
Some words stick. Not all of them, and certainly not for all people.....but some do! Words have the power to transform lives. The problem is we never know which will be the right words for the right person. I'm grateful this woman shared her story with me. I often speak or type with the confidence that some of my words might stick, but I rarely know for certain if they do. These little reminders fill me with much joy and encouragement.
Also, notice the multiplication effect of our words. Gary has shared his perspective of generosity with tens of thousands of people. Many have surely disregarded him, but it changed my life forever. Years later, due to his work in my life, I'm sharing similar words with entirely new audiences. Many will disregard me, but it made a difference in this woman's life. That's multiplication!
The same goes for you. Your words are important....oh so important! Many will fall on deaf ears, but some will stick. I pray that somewhere along the journey, you'll get these sweet little reminders from people that your words are, in fact, making a difference. Keep planting seeds. Keep doing the hard work. Keep encouraging. Keep picking others up when they can't pick themselves up. Keep showing up, even when it feels pointless. Keep making a difference, because it matters!