I have to admit, I have a history of killing plants. Not deliberately, I actually love plants. It is just through lack of knowledge, and if I am being honest, lack of attention. When I moved into my new home, I was gifted three beautiful pot plants which I nervously placed in the planter-box on my decking. Within about two weeks, they went to pot plant heaven. So, I was understandably uncertain when recently gifted a pot plant that had to come home with me on a tram.
So, you may be asking two questions. How did I end up with a pot plant on a tram? How can I possibly write a blog about it? Those are great questions. Let me answer them for you. In regard to the first question, during the week I attended a book launch in the city. Two wonderful clients of mine, Sue Wong and Justin Robinson, had just published their book, My Manifesto, and I was honoured to attend. I didn’t want to drive and try to park in the city, so I decided to take the tram. It was a wonderful and inspiring event. Towards the end they started acknowledging people who had helped them on the journey. As I was one of them, they were kind enough to acknowledge me and present me with a beautiful pot plant. As I was receiving it, I was extremely grateful for the gesture, and in my mind came the thought, I wish I had driven.
The answer to the second question came as I left the book launch with pot plant in hand to head to the closest tram stop and, it was reinforced all the way home. It’s amazing how such a simple thing like a pot plant can bring a smile to people’s faces. As I walked through Melbourne city, it was curious as to how many people looked at the pot plant, looked at me and then smiled. As I got to the tram stop, there was a guy there who even started laughing at me. He was either drunk or affected by some substance and thought my carrying a pot plant was the funniest thing he had seen in a long time. I was glad I could be of such amusement to him.
Then I stepped on the tram for my 30 to 40-minute trip home, holding lovingly onto my newest family member. When I received it, I wasn’t sure if I really wanted the pot plant, because my track record for keeping plants alive was poor. However, the more I saw how this plant impacted the people around me, the more I was getting emotionally connected to it. Each time someone got on the tram and saw me, they smiled, and by the time I got to the place I needed to get off the tram I felt mixed emotions. Sadly I had to get off, and at the same time joy-filled and grateful that, with something so simple, I could bring a touch of joy into the lives of others.
So, you may be asking, what is the point? The point is a simple but powerful one. It takes very little effort at all to make other people smile, and when you do, you will feel a wave of joy flow through you. That feeling you are experiencing represents many things. It represents the power you have to affect lives. It represents the infectious impact of a smile. It represents the beauty that lies in the simple things in life. It represents the health and wellbeing that can be gained when we give to others. It represents the ripple effect that your giving will begin and continue forever. The pot plant on the tram is a mighty metaphor for joy, wellbeing, and meaning in life.
In my podcast this week called Cross the bridge, I speak with the incredible Seth Gehle. How he was able to find purpose and meaning in a young life full of abuse and challenges, is a testament to his resilience and his capacity to find good, live a life of purpose, and share it with others. This is a very inspiring podcast I want to encourage you to listen to.
It’s a new day. I am not sure what is happening in your life as you read this. What I do know is that there is a ‘pot plant on a tram’ opportunity for you today. As you talk to people, interact with people, and go about your day, look for any opportunity to make people smile. It may just be you smiling at them and saying ‘hi’. It may be because of the cheerful clothes you choose to wear. It may be because you decide to sing your favorite song out loud as you walk along. It may be because you find a reason to genuinely compliment someone. It may be because you are inspired to get a pot plant and take it on a tram.
Amazingly, when you do these incredibly simple things, as much as you will make others smile and hopefully lift them out of a dark place they may be in, it will do more for your mood, your mindset and your wellbeing than you can possibly imagine. I look forward to hearing all about your ‘pot plant on a tram’ experience.