When it Comes from Truth Within

It was March, 2009 when I received a call from a neighbor one-morning asking if I would be available that evening to meet with a woman from Denver Colorado who wanted to interview a group of us in the community who have been working on an environmental and justice issue of groundwater in our community.

That night I met the woman from Denver, Dafna Michaelson, who decided at the end of 2008 that she was going to quit her job, withdraw her 401K and spend 2009 traveling the country visiting one state at a time to interview community problem solvers because she believes that "real change happens at the local level" and those stories must be told. After the interview (see it here) we all wanted to hear more about Dafna's journey and who else she was going to interview in New Hampshire. We inquired where she was staying that evening and found out she had no reservations made yet. I offered my guest room and with great appreciation she accepted.

Dafna and I began a friendship that evening and I began to help her with the journey by scheduling upcoming interviews whenever I could. She reciprocated whenever she could by giving my business and support a plug. Neither of us asked, we just did what felt right. Dafna has completed the Journey Women work and has now started the Journey Institute.

The point of this story is simple. We never know when or how we may meet a person and how that relationship will develop. People in business never really know when a bond will happen or a small jester will turn into a rewarding experience. Whether it's a new customer coming through the door, or a stranger in the store check-out line you let go ahead of you, how we treat people in every situation must come form the heart. When it comes from truth within it will go further and make a greater impact. And whether that person becomes a customer, a friend or remains a stranger in passing that does not matter as much as how you interact.

Leave a comment on how a chance meeting or action that you took turned into a positive?

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Photo by Dafna Michaelson via 50in52journey.com