Hey, Robert, How Can We Change the World?
One nice thing about writing here is that I have so many writer friends. This week I had a conversation with Robert Hruzek via email. He related a simple true story as an example of how we can change the world one person at a time.
It’s a story worth sharing. Here it is.
Try One More Time
Guest Writer: Robert Hruzek
OK, how would you like to change the world? Seems like a somewhat daunting challenge, don’t you think? Just how do you go about making a difference in people’s lives?
Well, perhaps the best approach isââ¬Â¦ one person at a time.
In church the other day, my wife was sitting next to a teen-age girl that exhibited all the signs of NOT wanting to be there. I have no idea what the back story was, but she was definitely doing her best to appear as sullen and rebellious as possible, even going so far as to pretend to be asleep during the sermon.
There’s always a point in our Sunday service when folks are invited to stand and greet one another, and I wondered what would happen when my wife tried to say few words of greeting to her. Alas, the girl would have no part of it, choosing to simply stay seated with her arms crossed. Ah, well, I suppose it was worth a try.
That’s probably where I would have given up and moved on.
But my wife, who is not one to be put off, did the most amazing thing. After the service had ended, she went back over to the girl and told her, “You know, you have the most beautiful hair!”
I’m telling you, it was like the sunrise on a clear morning! The young woman looked up at her in surprise, then suddenly got a huge smile on her face. In fact, her countenance changed so much she literally looked like a different person.
Isn’t it amazing what a difference a few kind words can make? You can change the worldââ¬Â¦ one person at a time.
Thank you, Robert, for a simple story on how to start.
We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
