Golden Nuggets

My father was not a man of many words.?He spoke when needing to, otherwise, his forte was observation.?As a World War II Vet, with his name on Juno Beach, he felt observation was a powerful tool.?It served him well in the war. He taught that one should not be silent, nor should they talk so much that their personal message is overlooked.?He taught of a language with a greater message, one that is witnessed not necessarily spoken.?

Nature is observed and within that observation, we find the most intricate details.?To pick a flower and sit a while observing the finest details of its petal arrangement, fragrance, colour, and stems is a higher level of observation.?So is the intentional watching of ants going about their business; caterpillars munching on leaves or bees collecting pollen.?My father spent hours teaching us to notice the most delicate and detailed aspects of a world co-existing with us.?

I believe there was a plan.?To raise up awareness in his children, he had to create it.?It was not a rare thing to find him observing us, in our play, our interactions with other children, or our appreciation of the things he taught us.?It brought him great delight to find us observing nature in the manner we were taught.?He knew if he first taught us to observe nature and make examining the details within nature a habit, then instinctively, we would easily adapt this way of life toward humans.

You see, my father believed that humans were fascinating to observe, like ants.?He would sit on benches at parks and on main streets, observing the passersby.?He wondered where they were going, and he wondered what they were thinking as they went.?What sort of work did they do and were they happy??These were his beginning thoughts.?

In his life, as it was in his workplace, he observed those that worked alongside him.?I remember the conversation we had on this matter of observing the people who shared our space. ?I have replayed it many times.

The Golden Nugget teaching came from his adoration of observation.?If we are aware of those around us, truly aware of them, we can see them in their truth.?We can observe their movements, their facial expressions, their body language, and their giftings or strengths.?When humans share space for any given period, there is ample opportunity to observe.?With humans, my father said, we can interact, unlike our observation of nature where our interaction is limited.?

I began this journey to share my father’s passion and delight for becoming more aware of those in my space.?I began to observe those around me.?Everywhere.?

My father asked me about my findings one day when the rain was heavy, and the windows closed.?I shared that I noticed my lady co-worker was incredible at organizing and staying on task.?He quickly retorted, “You have a golden nugget”.?I do??

He continued to explain, “when you notice something very good about another human, that is a golden nugget. In the world of observation, when you are paying attention, you will see the great things others are doing. You will see how they treat those around them and make them feel. You will see their strengths and even their weaknesses on occasion. When you are trained to witness the intricate details of the life within your space, you will find many golden nuggets.”

“The golden nuggets are not yours to keep, by the way.?They belong to their owners.?Be sure not to keep them”.

This needed further explanation, “So many people suffer, silently, even overlooked when tasks are assigned, or new jobs become available, when they pick up all the slack and lack, and when they are the reason behind the success.?They are robbed of their nuggets.?They can be robbed in their friendships and family life as well.”

I began, at this point, to see a large picture forming and one that I was a part of.?Not only me but also my siblings.?What began as childhood time spent with a parent, began to unveil lifelong teachings.?The intricate details of nature and the attentive focus of the insect world; were training timeslots for a greater observation. ?My father wanted us to be grown-up human observers.?

The discussion had to continue, “when you notice something really good about another person, you should share it with that person. You see people live in a world within themselves that the outer world is blind to, and within that world, they live with fears, insecurities, and injustice. This world often smudges the lens which they see through.”?

The truth of this conversation was sinking in, and my own mind was forming a summary I would rely on for the rest of my life.

If we hold on to some else’s golden nugget, they will only ever see through their own smudged lens. Yet, if we take our observation of them, their golden nugget, and give it to them, they have an opportunity to see through a different lens.?This is vital for human growth.

Now, when I observe the goodness, the talents, the gifts, and the positives of my co-workers, friends, and family members, I deliver my observation to them.?If I notice something great at work, I don’t share it with someone other than that person, I take it directly to them.

For example, one might say, “I notice every time you show up in the office the atmosphere becomes more positive and lighter and that makes people smile.”?

Or (a personal example), “people really rely on you when it comes to pulling every aspect of our international meetings together because your skills are not only needed but unmatched” This was an actual statement that made a young man who felt unappreciated feel different about his place at work. What he was feeling didn’t match what people were saying about him, but nobody said it to him. They robbed him of his golden nuggets and left him with his smudged lens.

My father is gone now, and I am crushed that I didn’t glean more from his ways of wisdom.?It is often in hindsight we see the clearest and I am no different.

The golden nuggets for my father: he made everyone feel welcome, made everyone laugh, engaged in philosophical thoughts, and the intricate details of a well-grown garden.?The legacy of the Golden Nuggets lives on.

Today, I ask if you have read this, to pay it forward. Observe the brand of others and make sure they know you have received the message.?Also, within your space, observe the great works of another and deliver the nugget to them.

I bless all the intricate details of your lives as you witness the great works of others and partake in their growth as a human, by way of lending them your lens.?I’m sure in return – they too will allow you to see through their lens from time to time.

Graciously moved… Maya