I am an avid Facebook user. As I was researching topics for this month’s Blog, I came across the following story that has been shared a lot on Facebook, Twitter and the Internet. There is no credit given to the Author, however, this story is simple and has left a big impression on me. This is a great example of how we need each other, and how we can help others:

Once a group of 75 people were attending a seminar. The speaker stopped during his presentation and told the group it was time for an interactive activity. He started giving each attendee a balloon and a marker. He asked each person to blow up their balloon, tie it off and write their name on the balloon. All the balloons were collected and put in another room.

All of the attendees were wearing name tags and were directed to the other room where the balloons had been placed. They were asked to enter the room and to find the balloon with their name on it. They were given 5 minutes to complete the task. Everyone was frantically searching for their name, running into each other, pushing each other around and there was utter chaos. At the end of the 5 minutes no one had found their own balloon.

The speaker asked each person to randomly pick up a balloon and then find and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker addressed the group by stating that this happens in our lives. So many people are frantically searching for and pursing their own happiness, not really knowing where or how to find it.

We have the ability to give others a gift that they often cannot find for themselves. In turn, someone else can do the same for us. We should all reach out and take the time to pay attention to others by practicing selflessness, slowing down and listening. We all need each other, and are so much more powerful together than apart.