For Others, Beyond Self

Aaron Rodgers is a star quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.  He’s also the goat of jokes on State Farm commercials.  He’s a Super Bowl winner and a league MVP.  But Aaron Rodgers is more than that.  He has a little program titled “It’s Aaron” which is a Web series that has Rodgers surprising individuals who have been helped by nonprofit organizations.

I watched a six minute clip that had Rodgers meeting Kelly.  She is 13-years-old and a Packers fan.  She also suffers from spina bifida.  Rodgers, who plays a little guitar, joins Kelly, who loves to sing, and they recorded a song.

If you care to watch it, you can view this six minute clip. It’s worth it.  Really.  Click the link at: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/packers-qb-aaron-rodgers-shows-he-can-play-guitar-for-a-good-cause-110713

Isaac Theil is a 65-year-old who, as he does most every day, took the train to Brooklyn.  On this particular trip, he allowed a boy to use his shoulder as a pillow.   Theil didn’t move.  He didn’t complain.  He didn’t try to wake the boy.  He didn’t get up and move to a different seat.  No, he just sat there and allowed the boy to sleep.  When asked by another rider if Theil wanted him to wake the boy, Theil responded, “He must have had a long day, let him sleep. We've all been there, right?”

The little story is located at: http://now.msn.com/isaac-theil-subway-rider-lets-stranger-nap-on-his-shoulder-in-viral-picture

Two men.  Different from each other.  One famous for his prowess on the football field.  One famous for . . .  well, I really don’t know, other than this particular story.

Not necessarily anything in common.

Well, not much in common, except one thing:  they care.  They care about someone other than themselves.  They care about others.

For Others, Beyond Self

Rodgers sets aside his status, his stardom, to show kindness to others, especially kids.  Theil, well, he was just being himself.

We’ve heard stories about cars going through a Starbucks drive-through and one car purchases the coffee for the car behind, starting a pay-it-forward chain.  We’ve heard about customers paying for meals of other customers without their knowing it.  We’ve heard about clothing drives and canned food drives and collections of money for others.  There are stories of kids in need for Christmas and strangers purchasing a gift to give.  There are Toys For Tots Campaigns.  Soon, we’ll hear the ringing of bells outside department and grocery stores as folks throw coins or dollar bills into red buckets.

For Others, Beyond Self

It feels pretty good to give.  To give freely.  To give without the expectation of getting in return.  Of causing a smile.  Causing joy.  Causing a brief moment of happiness in someone’s life other than our own.  Selfless.  Honorable.  A real gift.  A gift of caring, of concern, of compassion.  A gift of love.  Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!