Yesterday, my vision of the world and all the people in it was changed by a tiny, inconsequential act.
I met an old man yesterday. We sat and talked for a while about history and literature, he had many interesting stories to share. When he got up to leave he reached into his pocket and took out a piece of paper which he gave to me. ‘For you’, he said. Curious, I unfolded the paper and found it was a recipe.
His own recipe, neatly typed out, for ‘Confiture d’oignon’ (literally ‘onion jam’, it’s a sort of “sweet and savoury” chutney that the French like to eat with cold meats or cheese). I thanked him, he smiled, and we parted company.
I can’t overstate how touched I was by this gentle, human gift. I wasn’t looking for a recipe for onion jam, it’s not something I have ever really considered cooking. We hadn’t even been talking about food. And it wasn’t even that it was an unexpected, totally unecessary and unsolicited random act of generosity.
What made it so special was that it was something of his, a personal creation, a precious piece of his very humanity, his life’s experience. I’d never met Monsieur Nizard before, and I probably will never meet him again, but I feel as if my life has been touched by a beautiful thing. I have something of Monsieur Nizard which he gave to me, unrequested, as an act of kindess to a stranger. I will never forget him because of that.
In business, especially in relationship marketing and social media, we all know the importance of giving value. We know that it creates a relationship with other members of our community and builds our value in their eyes.
What I want to express to you after my experience yesterday, is that effect is multiplied a hundred fold when what we give is of ourselves. Something personal: a memory, an insight, a story, a confession, a recipe…
It’s the human to human intimacy of sharing things that are actually of ourselves and not recycled from someone or somewhere else, without any request or trade expected or made, that creates the magic. It’s a tiny thing, but it touches people on the deepest level and makes you unforgettable.
What is your ‘onion jam’ that you can share as a personal gift to your readers?
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Great post, Ruby! I couldn’t agree with you more.
Remember that the more you give of yourself, the more you will receive in return–the most amazing things will happen to you.
Thank you for sharing this!
Heather
.-= Heather Taskovics´s last blog ..How To Promote Yourself On Facebook =-.
Thanks Heather, it’s really a beautiful thing
My onion jam… hhhmmmm… my blog is my onion jam. I try to provide real value and really put my heart and soul in it. Hopefully it will help a lot of people
.-= Debbie Lattuga´s last blog ..Personal Growth | It All Started With Tomatoes =-.
Thanks for stopping by Debbie, you’re the only person I know who can make onion jam out of tomatoes
Your blog is wonderful Debbie, I love to read it.
What a lovely thing he did – are you going to try the jam? I have to say it sounds delicious.
.-= Jane Bradbury´s last blog ..My Six Words =-.
It does look wonderful from the recipe, I’m definitely going to give it a try when preserving season comes around. And then I will have jars of Monsieur Nizard’s Onion Jam (I can feel a branding exercise coming on) to give as gifts for Christmas. Which is kind of Pay It Forward
While there is ALWAYS more in common than not (if you really look for it), each of us is also unique and special with a soul print all our own. Often the best “gift” TO another is to accept and appreciate what they offer us (that no one else has or can – at least as they do). Even MORE precious than (a recipe for) “onion jam” is the “juice” within the person who “creates” it. Thanks for sharing some of yours!
.-= Oren Pardes´s last blog ..Talk to me! =-.
I love your insight Oren, thanks!
Ruby,
Nice Story, yes a person that gives just because they want to share just because out of the goodness of their heart is so precious, It was like at the festival i went to this last weekend, a couple just said here, gave my daughter and niece ride/game tickets they bought and were not going to use. Recipes are personal and to share what you love with someone else, a stranger makes a powerful connection. Love new recipes, let me know if you tried it as well!
.-= Chris Bernardo´s last blog ..20 Ways to Engage Your Fans and Get Responses =-.