Can ONE WORD change your life? It did mine!
Paul White's nationally distributed syndicated column, “Can ONE WORD change your life? It did mine!” is published in 22 publications across seven states. This includes the following newspapers and digital publications: Midland Daily News (MI), SFGate (CA), Seattle PI (WA), Connecticut Post (CT), Laredo Morning Times (TX), Huron Daily Tribune (MI), The Telegraph (IL), and more. In this week's article, Paul offers a unique way to make yourself approachable and available for deepening old and creating new relationships — all can be achieved with one word that positively impacted his life, and it can do the same for you!
“Extensively Excited” is the best term to describe how I felt when I happened upon a new word that I previously was unaware of. The logic all fell into place once I read the definition and began to process how this word could make a positive difference in my life and the life of others.
I heard the word in a movie I was watching, and I loved the way the movie utilized its meaning. The word is “phototropism” and its simple definition is: the growth of an organism in response to a light stimulus. Plants will bend towards a light source to utilize the benefits the light source offers.
The more I thought about this, the more I came to realize that humans subconsciously and naturally do this same thing.
Diving deep into the thought process, I began to consider all of the meetings, parties, gatherings, weddings, funerals, conferences, and festivals I’ve attended through the years. I can specifically recall certain individuals that people were quick to engage with, lingering past the casual chitchat and finding themselves having a meaningful conversation. Consistently seeing many of the same people at fundraising, business, church, and social events in the town we live in, I was able to see patterns in certain individuals that made me realize their character had a light that shined bright and others were simply attracted to engaging with them. It was like a personalized form of charisma.
My natural learning curve suggested that I engage with these people as often as I could. This isn’t always easy. There’s a retired minister who’s beloved by our community. Although retired, he continues to be very active in the community and I run into him often. Each time I see him he’s already engaged in conversation with someone and typically has a couple of people patiently waiting for their opportunity to be inspired by this man. He offers others love, compassion, sincerity, faith, kindness, empathy, morality, gentleness, patience, and even tosses some humor in for good measure. It dawned on me that he presented a wonderful model for others to be a light stimulus that people would be willing to bend towards to gain the benefits that he offered. I really liked that.
This phototropism thought process was constantly on my mind and so I sat down and made a list of ten people I saw on a regular basis that all seemed to shine a light that others were attracted to. None of them were shouting the loudest to get attention when they spoke. They didn’t need to. Yet, while each of them were able to carry a conversation they were also able to carry that charisma up to a podium where they could share their light with many. Studying this group made me realize that all of them had mastered being able to effectively communicate love, compassion, sincerity, faith, kindness, empathy, morality, gentleness, patience, and yes, appropriate humor. I also was able to observe that each of these individuals could listen with great focus. Being able to listen without thinking about a response was key. Focused listening is such a powerful life tool we can all engage if we’re willing.
One of the most famous people that provided one of the greatest examples of phototropism is Martin Luther King Jr.. His light shined on the world and continues to attract people with the messages he left for all of us. He provided a wonderful example for all of us to model utilizing love, compassion, sincerity, faith, kindness, empathy, morality, gentleness, patience, and yes, appropriate humor. HE was inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi.
Can you connect the dots? It’s a beautiful thing when one individuals light inspires other individuals light to shine brightly…which then inspires even more individuals lights to shine, fulfilling the “Law of Sensitive Dependence upon Initial Conditions” better known as “The Butterfly Effect.” Andy Andrews wrote a book entitled "The Butterfly Effect” in which he explains this beautifully.
Back to my learning curve. Thinking all of this through, I realized that I naturally wanted to be similar to these people who were having a positive impact on others, which is why people were so attracted to their light. I needed to become a person who naturally could share love, compassion, sincerity, faith, kindness, empathy, morality, gentleness, patience, and yes, appropriate humor. All of these emotions must be profound being that I’ve shared those same words four times so far in this article. And they are. So I found myself practicing my listening skills and allowing the appropriate emotions to come forth at the right time.
Have I mastered phototropism? Nope. In fact, I still have lots of room for improvement. At the same time, the brightness of my light has significantly increased and the number of people willing to engage with me has steadily increased. I have a lot of positive momentum going and you can too.
Two ways the word Phototropism has changed my life: 1) I find myself seeking out people whose light shines the brightest, and 2) I model what I see in the people with the brightest light to enhance the level of light my own life offers to others.
What I’d like YOU to do is make a list of ten people you know that people tend to always seek out at gatherings. Think about how many of the emotions; love, compassion, sincerity, faith, kindness, empathy, morality, gentleness, patience, and appropriate humor each person possesses.
What are some of the ways you could model these people and how could you utilize them to improve where you currently are with those same emotions in your life? Create a list of changes you could make to improve your natural delivery of those emotions. Think of ways you could become a more effective listener. If you’re wondering why you would ever consider doing what I’m asking you to do, understand that the people with the brightest shining light of phototropism are likely the happiest, most joyful people you encounter in life. Joy is the fuel that keeps their light shining bright.
So, GiddyUp and give it some worthwhile effort. Experience Phototropism for yourself and bring positive change to the world. Begin right now!
In addition to being a nationally syndicated columnist, Paul White is an author, motivational and inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach located in Midland, Michigan. He offers self-help and culture development to start your journey towards consistent growth and joy. If you’re interested in getting in touch with Paul, please submit an inquiry via our Contact Page.