Positive vibes are what it's all about
By YADIRA SANCHEZ OLSON
The story of the 33 Chile miners who have been trapped in a mine since Aug. 5, and the note that one of the miners wrote and the Chile president waved joyfully for the miners’ families to see, made me think about the power of communication.
The note read: “We are OK in the shelter, all 33 of us.”
A simple sentence. Simple, but powerful enough to breathe life back into the miners’ family members and let rescue workers know that they have an arduous task ahead of them.
Communication is what makes things happen. But the right communication is what makes great things happen. The power of hope through a form of communication is impressive indeed.
Encouragement, enthusiasm, safety. These are all feelings that can be transmitted through a sentence, a word and even a smile.
In schools, teachers try to inculcate manners and courtesy to their students and teach them about sharing, caring and friendship.
The world needs this.
But not just inside the confines of colorfully decorated classrooms, where so much hope for the future resides.
It’s most needed where it’s most likely forgotten.
In that ever-lasting line at the check-out counter at the grocery store. You know, the one where everyone is looking at their phones and making faces because they have other places to be and more important things to do than to wait to pay.
Or with those grouchy-looking strangers that you see when you get your morning coffee.
I personally like to surprise them with a smile and a hello. You know, throw some quarters in their gears.
A simple wish for a good morning can lift up a sad soul.
A thank you can give someone back their faith in humanity.
Positive vibes are what it’s all about.
It’s why all those songs about beating the odds and gaining perspective on what life is really about are so popular. It’s what we all want.
Yep, we can all appreciate that kind word that lets us know someone believes in us ... someone is rooting for us!
If this is what we all want (and I believe we all do) then why not give that to others as well?
It’s that mirror-effect – what you show is what you see.
I’m not thinking that with this column, a movement of positive communication will take to the the streets. I don’t think people driving on the road will have their windows down so they can shout compliments at pedestrians.
But I do think that change starts somewhere. Usually with you.
