More Powerful Than You Think

We all need a helping hand

After a horrible week at work and then another trip to the hospital yesterday, the arrival of the weekend was a huge relief. My haemoglobin levels had dropped so low that I had to be given some iron through a drip at Salo hospital.  I've been feeling a bit odd ever since though, so I have no idea whether it worked or not.

All in all this past week has been like going through the spin cycle of a washing machine.  I've encountered one or two people who would not know the concept of "compassion" if it hit them in the face. The kind of people who abuse their power at the expense of other people, and seem to get a kick out of it.  I'm sure you know the type.

And at the same time yet I've seen plenty of others who spend their life trying to help and support other people, expecting nothing in return.  We really need that second group to cope with the existence of the first. In any event it feels good to come back to a place where there are friendly people who have better things to do than spending their time stabbing each other in the back.

Beautiful pot of rasperry jam from Marja-Leena

Minttu knows who her friends are

 An additional plus is that the sun is shining. Today in Somero it is 16 degrees, the sky is blue and as a result I am starting to feel vaguely human again.

We spent the morning at Oravatupa, then went to the market at Lamminiemi (a well-being centre for rehabilitation) where there were several local producers and craftspeople selling their products.

We saw our friend Manu there and Minttu grabbed hold of his finger and would not let it go. Even though she is only 14 months, she knows a good person when she sees one.

Hand-made flowers..



candles...



wood products



...and bread from Kotinisu in Ypäjä

In any event,  I genuinely believe that there is a lesson to be learned from every single experience, whether it feels good or bad at the time.  And after a rough week, I have thought a lot about how much power each of us has to affect the well-being of those around us. It is easy to hurt people, or ignore them or make them feel small if that is the kind of person you are. Sadly these people will always exist.

But at the same time it is equally easy to make someone feel special and significant and to boost their confidence and well-being by the smallest of gestures. In this way we all have a huge amount of power.  I received a lovely phone call yesterday evening from a work colleague, and today Marja-Leena appeared with this beautiful home-made pot of jam. Do you know what?  These two things were the highlight of my weekend, and suddenly a bad week was turned into a good one. Oh, and Minttu grabbing hold of Manu's finger of course...

 

We all have the power to make another person smile without much effort at all. Why don't you go out there and see what you can do?