The domino effect of positive actions

Testing the theory yields surprising results

Living in the twilight zone now, as we do, I’m finding it fascinating to see how people spend their time while the world watches, worries, wonders and waits.

Some continue doing what they always did — hustling to get a meal on the table; queuing in increasingly bitter temperatures for a meagre, but welcomed, government grant; or doing none of that at all, because this time of isolation is buffered, for some, by healthy bank balances and time off.

The extremes unnerve me, particularly since they were always there — it’s just more obvious and in your face now.

Underlying all of this, regardless of personal circumstance, is the question: how is everybody’s mental health, right now?

Several years ago, I wrote about my father’s wisdom while exploring the topic of self-help and “self-improvement”, which is a growing goto among the well-heeled.

But right now, everybody and anybody could use some free advice.

“We constantly and habitually live our lives fixated on the past and future, forgetting the reality and value of the present moment,” is what Bruce said.

If you logically unpack this nugget of wisdom, it’s very simple, but in a blow-yourmind sort of way.

Imagine that what we do and think now — in this moment — has an impact on what happens (or on how we feel) in the future?

Sort of like preparing a healthy lunch box the night before, rather than scrambling together a white-bread cheese sarmie in the morning, because you didn’t plan positively beforehand.

It’s a domino effect — what you did yesterday, or just now, will impact on you today, or tomorrow, for good or ill.

Granted, there are things we seem unable to control.

But experimenting with the idea — actually putting it into practice, for just one day — was remarkable.

Back then, figuring that love is the most important thing in the world, I woke up and messaged my best friends, telling them that they were much loved and sending wishes for a beautiful, peaceful day. That felt good — it was free, sincere and easy to do.

What happened next was interesting.

For most of that day, I received random hugs from people.

I also was given free gifts, for no reason.

My children, awesomely, were happy for very long lengths of time.

Could it be that by feeling connected, in a positive way, in that moment, and giving out a happy thought, had a knock-on effect?

And, if we did it constantly, like putting on socks or brushing our teeth, life would become a better place to live?