Sure, NOBODY listens to me?

The difference between listening and hearing.

Do we understand the power of our words and what we say to others? An off-the-cuff remark could have heavy percussions if taken in the wrong context.

But what we say, can also make someone think a little differently, and make them take something away, make a choice they may not have made before and, in turn, have a knock-on effect of enormous reward.

Could you pay it FORWARD?

Let me get to it so,

I hold a Men's Circle once a week (email on that one, down the line), but we discuss all sorts in these few hours, but a lot of the time, it comes up the importance of hearing what people are saying, not just listening to them.

We all listen to people all the time but do we "hear" what they are saying, and if we don't, do we ask?

I was telling a story about the street/beach sellers and taxi drivers etc., coming and talking to me and how they continued to tell me their story about how the last two years have been and how tough they had it without tourists in Bali. While still being smiley and cheerful, they soldiered on as best they could.

Enter Dave (not his real name, his real name is David), he heard this, and it changed the way he reacted to the next person trying to sell him something that he encountered, so the next time when one tried to sell him clothes, he asked him, "what's your story"? Tell me a little about yourself? why do you do what you do?

The man told him he could not find work, which forced him to sell clothes, he laughed it, off as the nature of the Balinese people do, David continued to ask him some questions and found out he also made some fruit juice at home but was having a tough time selling these.  It was similar to the branded shops' juices that sell these for twice the price, and the man felt he could not compete.

Full of doubt he would ever sell these from the front of his bike. The man stated he was strong and willing to work, to which David said he would see if his word was indeed accurate to this.

David bought some of the juice and brought it back to his homestay, where he relayed the story to the others there.

And this is where the magic happens, one of the girls was a graphic designer and made the guy a logo, another made him a professional-looking price list that he could have on his phone, Instagram, or print it out, and another set up a social media page for him.

Now, the man (whom a few weeks ago was selling the clothes off his own back) runs a little juice delivery business for himself, receiving orders and dropping them off on his bike,  thanks to the help of some kind and resourceful people.

What did it cost them? only some of their time, they probably would have used chatting or watching Netflix or scrolling on their phones.

What was the outcome?

A man can feed and provide a little more to his family but has no excuses now to say he cannot find any work.

He is accountable to himself now, thanks to a bit of help or small supportive pushes by some fantastic people.

So, what are you making excuses about?

Are you struggling?

And afraid to ask for help?

If you ask for support, would you be accountable and tackle the tasks at hand to reach that desired goal?

David "heard" what I was saying and acted on it, and his housemates "heard" it too and did something about it.

This story is not about asking every person on the street what their story is, to try and help them (although that is good too).

How about the next time you listen to someone, be aware, and ask yourself do you hear what they are really saying?

Behind the nervous giggles or laughs, or those dismissive comments that they are fine? We have all done it.

But also, remember this, ONE random act of kindness can turn out to have a knock-on effect and be life-changing for some people. Or it could just make someone’s day.

How are you going to PAY IT FORWARD today?

Thanks for reading

Marcus