August 8th, 2017
thank YOU
So I went on a little work trip and had a lot of time to talk to someone I’ve admired from afar and who reminds me of…me. Someone who’s been in the workforce/world for a lot longer than me, but is genuine and funny and smart all at once. OK, #humblebrag, whatever, but the point is, this person has managed to move up but retain who they set out to be.
I’ve been seeking a lot of ‘wise counsel’ (“thank you for your wise counsel” lol!) as of late and this was no exception. It felt a little forward, but this morning I thanked the person for their honesty and belief in me and for sharing their wisdom. It means a LOT to me when others invest their time and brainpower in helping someone, especially those earlier in their career, and I don’t want to take that for granted.
Imagine my surprise when, several hours later, the person thanked ME. The person said it had been helpful to THEM, too. I’m still not entirely sure what I was being thanked for, other than being myself and sharing my own struggles and asking for help, but it was a reminder that we find things to be thankful for in all kinds of places and all kinds of people, and all kinds of ways we are helpful without even realizing it…even when we’re the ones being helped. It was cool.
(It was even cooler, though, to get home to my family 😉 ! )