"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you." A A Milne

How many of us struggle to 'feel' connected to others when we are down, maybe even when are 'OK'?

How many of us tend not to show affection by hugging when you meet, taking someone's hand or simply touching, say their shoulder?

I know my father could not touch me at all, even when I was depressed. Once I drove 2 hours to see if I could get a hug, to also give me something to do while badly depressed and suicidal and he still could not hug me even when asked.

That was a result of his harsh background and being beaten by his mother. His 'rules' when he had been drinking, were his fists. He did however, do the best with what he had. I wasn't beaten all the time, only when he was drinking and I did something that was not acceptable to him. So basically my mother 'held my hand' and we moved out.

A kind word, an affectionate touch, a listening ear, a show of empathy even of the simplest kind, can change a whole day or even a relationship for life for someone. It shows you are thinking/feeling outside of your own mind and space. It also shows, that you can 'see' and probably gauge the emotions of those around you - a sign of good emotional intelligence.

You may even be balanced enough to challenge someone about their poor behaviour and while creating some 'discomfort' in that instant, possibly help that person see that what they are doing or even being, is not acceptable. Good leaders and mentors are always serving in this way from a strong foundation of personal or organisational values.

Since children learn only three ways; firstly example, secondly example and thirdly example... they will really only 'learn' by your example and how you treat your partner, friends or fellow colleagues. Thus by what you do, NOT what you say.

Leadeship expands the future, management controls the present.

Which are you portraying though your character and behaviours?

As time seems to rush by even faster each year, do you have enough presence to take time to grow and develop others, by physically or metaphorically holding their hand? Thus enabling them to grow their and their family's future potential and thus improving society.

Who can you 'serve' today by doing or should it be 'being' a Piglet?

"If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality." Norman Cousins

Les

A Moodscope member.