I attended a course in San Francisco called Lifespring back when I was 21 years old.  It was a program designed to “spring” people forward by uncovering old beliefs or patterns that blocked love, career, money, etc. from surfacing in their lives. I have always been a sponge for self-knowledge so I charged the whopping (for a part time waitress)  $495.00 tuition on an already overloaded credit card and hoped for the best.  I learned a lot about myself in that experience but the lessons I learned from one woman named Janet, changed my life forever.

The Basic course was a 3day experiential workshop where a couple hundred others and myself interacted in a series of “exercises” to get glimpses of ourselves in action.  It was awesome and I knew immediately that I wanted to attend the Advanced course that was being held in just a few weeks.  The Advanced course was a five day intensive program and I just had to go!!  I was on a self-realization roll and didn’t want to stop!  There was one problem though. I had zero money. As it was, my credit card was maxed and I’d have to miss a whole week of work to attend.  Not to mention that the price was one thousand dollars!  In that time of my life, a thousand bucks was a HUGE amount of money.  It may have well been one hundred thousand as far as my checkbook was concerned. Coming up with that kind of cash seemed dang near impossible but I wanted to go so badly!  I had to try..

On the last day of the Basic course, a microphone was passed around throughout the crowd to anyone who wanted share insights or ask questions.  Before I could stop myself, I was standing up with the mic in my hand.  I shared how amazing the course had been for me and told everyone that although I didn’t know how I would get the money, I was committed to attending the next Advanced course. (Nothing like having hundreds of people hold you accountable to keeping your word!)   I figured by going public with my goal, it would be much harder for me to back out.  When the forum was finished, it was time for the graduation ceremony so I hurried and took my spot.

 As I stood there, a woman approached me.  Her name was Janet and we had been partners for about 3 minutes during one of the exercises.  I wouldn’t have even remembered her name except for the fact that she still donned her nametag on her sweater. She told me that I had inspired her in our brief time together and that she thought I was destined for big things.  Then she said, “I have some extra money in my savings and I want to help you attend the Advanced course”. With that, she handed me a check for 1,000 dollars!

 Tears flooded my eyes and I stood there dumbfounded. I thought to myself, “ What could I have possibly said or done during that 3 minutes that inspired her so?   How could this person that I barely knew be so generous to me and come to my aid?  How could what looked like such a huge obstacle to my desire have dissipated so quickly and painlessly?” I was completely blown away!  It wasn’t until years later, however that I was really able to “get” the magnitude of the gift she had given me that day.  That moment...that gesture...transformed the way I live my life. 

Janet Spear, a true earth angel, taught me many things that day.

 She confirmed that passion and willingness to go for our desires are magnets that draw what we need to us. A strong will always finds a way.  My intense desire to attend the Advanced course, along with speaking up about my goal, brought what I needed to me.

She taught me that our perceptions are the only things that make one thing harder to obtain than another.  What some people view as a huge obstacle, is nothing for others.  One thousand dollars to me was Mt. Everest. One thousand dollars to Janet was “extra”

She taught me to keep my eye on my dream and let the universe work out the details.  I would have never, in my limited thinking...thought that someone I didn’t know would GIVE me $1,000, no strings attached.  In my mind, my only options were begging, stealing, or borrowing, none of which I wanted to do.

 She taught me that all of our actions have an effect even when we don’t see the result. I had made a difference for her during our brief exchange without even realizing what I had done.

She taught me that one act of generosity can have a ripple effect that spans many years and many people. Because of Janet’s generosity, I have been inspired countless times to help people in need, not to mention the hundreds of times I’ve shared this story.  Who knows how many people decided to go for their dreams or help others because of hearing this?

 It would be hard to track the ripple effect that Janet’s gesture generated, but I’m guessing it’s huge.  I haven’t seen her since that time but I think of her often and wish I could find her to thank her again for the huge difference she has made in my life. So far, countless Google searches have proven unsuccessful but in the meantime, I show her gratitude by keeping the ripple going. I’m sure it will get back to Janet at some point, if it hasn’t already many times over.

This week re-commit to believing in miracles! In one tiny moment, magic can and does happen.   Know that all your dreams are possible, if you just commit to going for them, the universe will find a way.  Know that your words and gestures (positive or negative) can and do produce a ripple effect. Do your best to produce a ripple that improves lives and empowers others.  Be generous with whatever you have to give whether it is money, time, a compliment, or just a smile.  You never know the difference it could make.

All my love,

Misty

Recommended Material on this subject

The movie “Pay it forward”

“Invisible acts of Kindness”, by Carolyn Myss