Denise Baril, inspired by the Replicate Yourself/Pay It Forward message in Greater Than Yourself, issued a challenge to herself and others to strive to make a difference every day for a month.
Well, it’s not entirely true that she was inspired by the words in my book. It was her boyfriend, Dan, that was the real inspiration. Here’s Denise’s account:
“My partner Dan, who is quiet and reserved by nature, was living this [Greater Than Yourself] principle in secret. He had been sharing his kindness and spirit with a man named John whom he encountered on the street. John did not have a home, lived on the street of his community, and was someone most of us would just walk by and feel sorry for. Dan however viewed his encounter with this individual as a man who he wanted to learn from and be present to. Dan nourished John with food and more importantly with his presence. Dan had also extended his business card to John so he could help him find employment when he was ready to move forward.
On Feb 17, 2010, Dan got a call from John and needed to help him. John, his new friend on the street, had called him, not to ask for help finding a job but to tell him that he was ending his life. John had been drinking and had told Dan that he had taken pills. He was at the end of his journey. Dan was the last person he called. Imagine how that would feel to have a stranger call you to tell you they are ending their life? How would you react?
Dan, moved by the spirit of humanity and faith, asked John where he was and set out to find him. By the grace of God Dan found John and over a period of time was able to convince John to get into his car so he could take him to the hospital. A life was saved that night. One incredible act of kindness.”
That was the start of Denise’s challenge to herself and to the rest of us. She’s documented her 31-day journey on her blog at www.marketingmatterscanada.com
Click on “blog” and then “archives.” You’ll have to dig a little to get to the posts, but it’ll be well worth your time.
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