By Julia Pitt Steps to Success: Unsung Heroes

One of life’s daily pleasures is walking my dog in the Botanical Gardens each morning. Even those times I feel reluctant or the weather isn’t conducive, by the end of a loop or two, I feel brighter, invigorated and balanced. It’s a fabulous way to start the day. Twenty minutes on a treadmill doesn’t quite compare. There is something restorative about being surrounded by that natural beauty, and it’s all the little interactions along the way that lift my spirits. There are the other dog-walkers and exercisers, experiencing this common pleasure. And it’s the folks that work in the park, with cheery hellos and morning greetings that create the added joy for me.

The gardens are a hive of activity at that time of the day, raking, mowing, pruning, sweeping, planting, weeding, trimming. I am not a gardener, I can barely keep a houseplant alive, so I observe with wonder as these custodians tend to their magic. The place always looks immaculate and I witness the changes, not just with the season but as the plantings and designs grow and take shape, and marvel at the level of dedication and attention to detail that is going on around me.

I realise it’s a job. Many of these skills will be included in the job description. But we’ll have all observed, there are different ways to approach a job. When it comes to the caretaking and nurturing of things, be it plants, people, our public spaces etc it is the vocation, love and devotion that is reflected in the ultimate success.

But if I strolled into the Gardens at any other time of day, I might think this beautiful place just looks after itself. We don’t always see the work that goes into making the world we experience. I find I can get so caught up in the dealings of my life, that I often just take for granted the infrastructure, by this I mean the public services and services I engage and even the background caring and support from those close to me, that literally help me to function as I do.

If we stop and think about all those people who affect our lives and whose efforts go to make our lives more enjoyable, easier, richer, safer, better — the extra mile that many of them go to in order to do that, we can glimpse our part in an intricate web of goodwill that we are enveloped in. I do this for just a moment and I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude for all that I have.

I have written before about the benefits of ‘an attitude of gratitude’. How studies have show that it’s benefits include: better sleep, improved relationships, greater willingness to exercise, fewer symptoms of illness (all good things around this time of year with family visits, overeating and cold season in the mix), along with the perhaps expected advantages of increased experience of happiness and optimism. Gratitude also means we are more likely to help others.

It can be an interesting exercise to see for ourselves where we are showing up with devotion, and who and what we go above and beyond for. These are the areas where we do what we do, not because there’s a pay-off, in terms of remuneration, or expecting praise or thanks or favour back, but because we feel it’s the ‘right’ thing to do, the joy from the giving of it, is return enough.

Human Needs Psychology claims that ‘Contribution’ is one of the six fundamental needs we strive to meet. Along with ‘Growth’, it is one of the two we must meet in order to experience a sense of fulfillment in life.

Where can I make more of a contribution?

There’s a multitude of ways people ‘give back’ be it through volunteering or supporting a charity or cause they believe in, or, like my friends in the park who showed me what Sugar Apples are and that Macadamia nuts grow in Bermuda (who knew?), making that extra effort in work or interactions for others’ benefit, or just being that reliable friend or member of the community. Sacrifices, large or small, for someone, something, to protect the environment, to stand up for a principle etc that lighten the load and makes the world a better place.

I’ve been blown away by the generosity of time and money and help extended to worthwhile endeavours and charity events on this island. There are so many people making a remarkable difference. And it’s not always the grand gesture.

I sometimes feel disheartened by the limited scope of what I alone can do. I see such great Need, both on our doorstep and around the world, and can feel overwhelmed wondering how I can help. But rather than letting this stop us trying, we can remind ourselves of essayist, Loren Eiseley’s story about the man on the beach with a thousand washed-up starfish, throwing them back to sea: “I asked him why he was working so hard at this strange task. He said that the sun would dry the starfish and they would die. I said to him that I thought he was foolish; there were thousands of starfish on miles and miles of beach. One man alone could never make a difference. He smiled as he picked up the next starfish. Hurling it far into the sea he said, “It makes a difference for this one.” I abandoned my writing and spent the morning throwing starfish.”

Although most don’t do it to get noticed or rack up kudos, during this season of Christmas bonuses and gift giving, perhaps we can take time to thank the people that make the difference in our lives. Along with contribution, Significance — feeling that we are important and unique (and appreciated) is another of our six fundamental human needs.

Thank you to all those who touch my life and brighten my day.

I also encourage you to enjoy a walk in the park! The lights are now lit for the Christmas in the Park experience from 6-9pm. Bring some non-perishables to donate … and take the opportunity to give as good as we get.

Julia Pitt is a trained Success Coach and certified NLP practitioner with Benedict Associates Ltd. Telephone (441) 295-2070 or visit www.juliapittcoaching.com for further information.