Today is a day to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, the families whose loss did not end that day and the countless people who responded with extraordinary courage, compassion, and service.
Twenty-five years later, I still find myself drawn to one simple truth from that day – when circumstances become difficult, people remember how we showed up for one another.
They do not remember the title on the business card or who had the best answer in the room. They remember the person who stayed calm, reached out, listened, offered help, and made it clear that no one had to carry the moment alone.
I believe that is worth sitting with for a moment.
In our work and in our lives, service is rarely some grand gesture. More often, it is the choice to slow down long enough to notice what another person needs. And, in high-pressure environments, this idea can sometimes look “unattractive” because everyone must pull the weight that is theirs!
It may look like:
- Calling a friend, colleague, or family member you have been meaning to check on
- Giving someone your full attention rather than half-listening while thinking about the next meeting
- Offering support before it is requested
- Thanking someone whose steady effort usually goes unnoticed
- Using your influence, time, or energy to make someone else’s day a little easier
We all leave, what I call, an experience wake behind us. People feel our presence long after a conversation ends, whether we intend that or not, good or bad.
So today, beyond remembering, consider how you can serve. Not for recognition. Not because it is on the calendar. Simply because people matter and how we show up for them matters even more.
What is one small way you can make someone else’s load lighter today?
With gratitude, Mike