Instant Angel

There seems to be a lot of talk I’m hearing these days about creating your life, pursuing your dream, getting what you want. I’m all for that. I believe, deeply, that we create our own lives.  But maybe it’s just too easy to get caught up in what I want.

In Susan Jeffer’s newsletter this month, she talks about Instant Angels – those blessed souls who show up just when you need them.  She went on to explain that we can all be Instant Angels for someone else, too. If we pay attention to others, we can spot ways we can come to someone’s rescue.

What a fun way to live life!  Thinking about yourself, obsessing on your thoughts, while beneficial, can get decidedly boring.  Maybe we can plant some thoughts like all is well, I have all I need and get on with it. Alan Cohen sent me this quote from Lao Tzu, “Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”

Now, that’s some good marching orders for being an Instant Angel!  Imagine how you would feel if the world belonged to you.  There’s nothing you couldn’t do for others.

We all have so much to give.  Whether or not we have money, we’re likely to have some time. There’s no shortage of imagination and ideas, a kind word, a voice to motivate.  So many ways to help others!  A hand, an ear, a smile.

I just love this Instant Angel concept.  It only takes an instant to decide to help someone.  And it may only take a moment to deliver that help.  I’m not sure if I really believe this, but I heard a story that someone was feeling lost and unloved, when a stranger gave them a warm and loving smile. It completely changed their attitude and made them rethink their negative thoughts.  It turned their whole world around.  How wonderful is that!  You could change someone’s life simply by smiling at them.

Maybe we can play with one of Agent Cooper’s rules.  He says that every day you should give yourself a gift, unplanned.  Let’s shift that to giving a gift to someone else every day, unplanned.  It needn’t be wrapped in fancy paper, just a moment’s awareness will do.