Here, Follow Me.

We were recently on a long road trip, when we found ourselves in a bit of a pickle.

There was a detour along the main interstate, which rerouted us onto a number of small backroads. This wasn't a big deal, until we were ready to get back onto the interstate after the detour, only to discover that the interstate entrance (as well as the road near it in both directions) was closed. 

Essentially, there was no way to go east. 

And we were trying to go east. 

We pulled into a nearby gas station to figure out what to do. 

As we stood in front of the gas station with our Google Maps pulled up,  a number of other cars pulled in, with their drivers doing the same.

Despite a number of creative attempts to find a new route, none of us were coming up with any good solutions. 

As we stood outside of the gas station, zooming in on the map, a man in a black truck popped over.

Here, follow me

“Here, follow me,” he said. “I know a secret way that you can go. I have to go that way anyway.” 

We hopped in our cars, followed him through a number of windy back roads, and when we arrived back on a main road, he signaled out the window to tell us to turn right. 

We don't know his name and likely never will. 

But we will likely always remember his unexpected act of kindness. 

Kindness in Action

While most of us don't have the ability to solve the amount of heaviness and hardship on a global level right now, we do have the ability to practice kindness toward each other in these small moments of everyday life. 

Out in the world, we can be the person who notices that someone else is lost and needs help finding their way. 

In the office, we can be the colleague who says to the new hire, “Follow me, I'll show you where the conference room is." 

And as leaders, we can be the one to let the light shine through onto our team members, by supporting them in reaching their destination, and then stepping back so they can shine. 

Have you experienced any random acts of kindness lately, either at work, or out in the world?

Feel free to leave a comment to let me know, if you'd like.

Thank you for being here, for being part of the community, and for reading.

I appreciate you. 

Questions to Consider

• What is one current opportunity that I have to “let the light shine through” from me, onto others?

• What is one opportunity I have to lead the way for others?

• What is one way I'm taking care of myself, amidst the heaviness of our current world?

• And, what is one small act of kindness I could practice today? This week?