A few months ago I listened to a webcast. The speaker compared life’s experiences to climbing a ladder.
“Every rung is important,” he said, “Every rung is equal.”
At first, the idea of “everything matters equally” felt paralyzing. Taking even the simplest of actions could be life-or-death in a world where all is so completely important. I might do it wrong.
Then I heard the words differently.
Everything in life has equal meaning.
At first, this didn’t seem logical. Holding a door open for someone and saving someone’s life has equal meaning?
Yes, it does.
Last Fall I was deep in grief over the deaths of my Dad and my cousin. The feelings came and went, unpredictable tides that left me feeling helpless and lost. On a day when things were especially colourless and I desperately needed to feel better, I took myself to the library.
As I walked towards the door, it swung open and someone came out. Their arms were loaded with books, a balancing act, but when they saw me they paused and waited, holding the door open wide. They looked me in the eyes and smiled. I thanked them and walked through.
Holding the door open for someone and smiling, a momentary gesture frequently repeated, nothing really in the larger movements of life. Except this someone, a stranger, smiled for me as if we knew and loved each other well.
That brief action was pure kindness, a connection that gave me light and space and breath. I was offered a moment of love that buoyed me for the rest of the day.
I don’t know what happens as my actions and choices ripple outwards. I don’t know who I affect every day in my life.
I do know I want my life’s touch to be as kind and loving as the gift I received that day.
If everything is important and equal, if everything has meaning, I choose to do my days with kindness and love for the people around me and for myself.
