This blog is my recognition for people who are aware of and interested about other people. A few weeks ago, I was meeting a person I had not met before. We began a brief conversation about my recent work as a Chaplain at our hospital. He asked me "What was it that sparked your interest in Chaplaincy?" I was glad for his interest and so began sharing what prompted this latest career shift.
Just within a few short sentences of background; a friend of this gentleman came up to him and without even acknowledging that I was talking with him already - my "listener" then turned to his recently arrived-friend and completely ignored me. I believe I was even mid-sentence when he turned his complete attention and face away from me.
I didn't know quite how to save face. So I turned to this man's wife who was sitting next to him and continued on with my explanation. She was politely interested in what i was saying. But I felt kind of awkward talking with her in response to a question that she hadn't even asked. So I quickly ended and thought about other moments when I have been disregarded or simply ignored.
About 5 years ago, my husband was asked to speak at a church dinner seminar. There was a dinner preceding Frank's talk. We arrived at the stake center and looked around. The gentleman who had extended the invitation to Frank saw us and simply carried on his conversation with another. We were a bit lost as this was not our church community. We didn't think we knew anyone in the auditorium. We weren't sure if our "host" had a special place for us to sit for the dinner. We just stood with each other and then looked around wondering what would be appropriate for us to do. After what seemed like 15-20 minutes, our "host" came over to us and looked around the room at the tables which were mostly filled up by this time and in a panicked kind of manner - he took us to the closest table and quickly told us to just sit down. (Obviously, he hadn't cared to make a plan to accommodate for us).
Fortunately for us, the table we were placed at had a friend of ours already sitting there. We were happy to catch up with our friend and enjoyed our dinner while visiting with her.
Frank gave a great talk and taught us well. Yet, the main lesson I learned from this evening was that there are People-Minded People and there are people who aren't really interested in other People.
I also became self-aware that I am no longer intimidated by people who are disinterested in me. In the past, when someone didn't listen to me, or notice me, or make appropriate plans for me - I would walk away feeling inferior and insecure.
Never again will I feel "less than" someone else simply because they don't regard me. I now realize that they are the ones who are missing out on what matters the most in life. All that really matters is people; listening to people, caring about people, nurturing people and loving people.
I desire to be one who is a People-Minded Person. That when others are with me, they might feel important and significant. I hope to honor others so they might know they have value and what they say and feel matters to me. I wish my intention to become a part of my character and something that comes naturally with everyone I encounter from here forward.
