The Lady in Red

Something very interesting played out at work this week.

I was walking into the kitchen and noticed a co-worker wearing a bright red blouse, black pants, and red shoes.

I commented on her outfit, “I like your red top and shoes. This must be “red” week or something. I noticed that Julie came all in red on Monday, and then she wore red pants the next day. And today, you’re wearing a red top with red shoes.” 

 Alice smiled and shrugged.  “Well, I guess it’s just a power day.”

I said, “Well, I think because red is such a powerful color, that subconsciously you were predisposed to red, because Julie came in on Monday — as the Lady in Red — and then, she came in the next day with red pants.  That red color stuck with you, and today, while looking in your closet, you subconsciously gravitated toward the red.”

Alice politely shrugged me off and went on her way.

I knew she didn’t believe me.  I knew she thought I was a little nuts with such a theory, so I followed her into the opened area of the Word Processing room.  I waited for her to sit down at her desk, before I approached her. 

I didn’t say a word.  I just walked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention.  Then I pointed to all the people, in that immediate area, who were wearing some shade of red.

All these people happen to be sitting in the same area as Julie, who was our Lady in Red on Monday.  Julie, of course, had not a stitch of red on her today.

Alice’s eyes registered recognition of what she was seeing.  She started to laugh out loud.

She exclaimed, “Oh my goodness!  I never even noticed!  Look at that!” 

As she explained what was going on to the rest of the group, I walked out, silently.

***

It’s very interesting to me that people have a hard time believing that their actions affect others. 

Everything on this planet is connected in some way.  Every action — every “thing” — has significance to someone—whether we “see” it or not… whether we acknowledge it or not.  Even if we don’t see the connection or significance, it doesn’t mean that the connection doesn't exit. 

I wish more people saw this power within themselves.  I wish more people would recognize how the power of their presence affects others — either in a positive or negative way. 

Since we have the power within us to choose whether to affect others in a positive or negative way, why not make a conscious effort to affect others in a positive way? 

By choosing a positive course of action, we can dispel the darkness in others, while recharging ourselves in the process.

If we truly understood this power within us, we would use it more.  We would take the time to develop it.  We would give it the attention it needs to affect, effect, and infuse others. 

If we only knew the power held in the gifts of focused attention and positive connections, we could use that power to abolish a host of negative and draining emotions and insecurities that live within ourselves and others. 

Even if this is just one of my crazy theories, it’s one worth trying out…

Don’t you think?

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