A couple of years ago I went to a show by Balls of Steel host Mark Dolan in Edinburgh.
By name, How Can I Help?
It was a fully improvised show,.
Audience participation was mandatory. You had to submit a written suggestion that you "genuinely" needed help with that he could turn into a show.
We were all left in no doubt that non-participation was not an option. After all there would have been no show without it.
He pulled out the cards one by one and proceeded to solve the problems.
It's a good philosophy. How Can I Help?
A GP does the same thing. So does a grocer.
But something like 97% of people walk out of GP appointment with all the answers they were looking for.
And they can come in with anything.
ANYTHING AT ALL.
That's impressive even to me. And I am on the dispensing end. Actually it's something to be proud of.
If only it were true. I think it is in the main.
My submitted problem, I might as well tell you, was a deep rooted one going back many years so I wrote on my card, "I can't gel".
Not in crowds you understand. I was referring to a difficulty adding a product to my hair although in fairness I only discovered such products fairly recently.
The solution?.
I got invited onto the stage (that wasn't part of the deal but you have to give the public what they want), shook Mark's hand, looked him in the sweaty face and note his highly gelled hair. It looked rather like he had used Clarified Butter For Men but I am sure he was worth it and I kept my mouth shut.
I was about to face the public vote.
The audience voted on whether or not I even needed to gel and 90% thought I looked perfect as I was without the gel. I can't remember if they used the word perfect but let's assume they did so we can all go home.
Problem
Solution.
Questions?
No?
Ohh... So what?
You cheeky beggar...well
Well the title of his show has lived with me. He has seeded me.
I think it may be the best philosophy for life we have. I suppose it's considerod 'old' now in terms of new age thinking but Be The Change is a strong message.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
So tomorrow, look for a problem in your world or someone else's around you. (It's not difficult, they are everywhere. If you have a very simple life pick up a free copy of Metro and start there).
Notice, direct your observation... in the words of Peabo Bryson... Somewhere Out There , breathe in deep and and ask yourself: How Can I Help?
I wonder where it will lead.
Good places I think.
