For those of us in the helping professions, those that serve others in the Real Estate industry, or serve our families or volunteer, there is a concept of the "cheerful giver." You don't measure out how much you serve or how much a burden this will be for you. Whether that be your time, your money, the hassle, whether you enjoy it or not, get something back in return, or even want to do it today. You just do it, and let the consequences be whatever they may be.
Life surely if nothing else is this very fascinating long and winding road we are all on. We encounter so many different people and have so many situations we have to cope with which later we draw experience from. Learning at some point to be a cheerful giver allows us to lighten the load of others. There is an interesting phrase that most likely has family at its roots but it has a fascinating story behind it.
It has to do with
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother."
Originally talked about in a 1924 Kiwanis magazine about a little boy who was physically weak asked how he could carry this baby in his arms staggering towards a park. Pretty big load for a small kid. He smiled, and said, "He ain't heavy, he's my brother." The Father Flanagan of Boys Town fame in the 1940's used the phrase for the boys home that was built. In Vietnam there was a photo of a G.I. carrying a Vietnamese man and gave the same phrase, "he ain't heavy, he's my brother." Also in Native Indian culture one of the warriors was to be executed by hanging, but his brother stood under him, with the noose around the one on top's neck, and held him up so he wouldn't hang. The oppressors thinking he would falter, heard him say, "he ain't heavy, he's my brother."
Bearing burdens for others by us in a cheerful spirit might be doing someone's shopping, meals on wheels delivery, visiting the lonely, driving someone to the doctor, or helping with the housecleaning. All doing it thinking of THEM not us. Sometimes the helping is done with many in volunteerism having many hands make light the work.
However we choose to serve and in what capacity having the perspective that he's not heavy, he's my brother, or she's not heavy, she's my sister is the truest form of love and giving. The focus and concern is ALL where it needs to be and that is on the other person.
The musical group the Hollies in late 1969 released a song with just this phrase and mentioned the winding road as well. Be a cheerful giver and may each person you meet be your brother or sister.
Gary - That is one of my favorite songs and has such great meaning to me. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. If we could all change our focus to think of others what a wonderful world this would be.
Gary, finding meaning and happiness in our lives seems to be directly related to how we view our responsibility toward others. Life isn't about us individually; it's about the all-encompassing US of which we are individual members. Thanks for the post.
What a great post (again!). These gentle reminders you give continue to put me back on the right track, regardless of what else is going on around me. Thank you for that...
Isn't it ironic that lessening the burden for someone else often has the same effect on the caretaker. Stepping outside of one's own "mindfulness" is its own reward.
Hey Gary, you should publish a "Chicken Soup for the Real Estate Agent".
You are correct. Now that real estate has slowed down that would be a great thing to do. Maybe we can all start today in some way. Have a Happy Mardi Gras and we will join the rest of the country Wednesday.
Beautiful post, video and photography Gary. Stories like this is what keeps people motivated. Everard just recently came back from the 2009 Motorama show where he was one of only 3 volunteers brave enough to ask for donations for the SPINO BIVIDA resource. Helping others is what living a full life is all about.
BTW: You are an amazing photographer. Beautiful lighting and wonderful composition. Very inspiring story too. Kudos my friend, you deserve this feature through and through.
I like the thought. I get concerned when some people expect us to lighten others load involuntarily, like the government creating programs over and above the minimum. It brings up a lot of issues that is for sure.
Hi Gary, I love the song-know all the words. I think I can work harder on the message! The photo you included is simply gorgeous. Thanks for another great post Gary!
Very inspiring, Gary...Boys Town was a very favorite B&W movie to me when I was a kid...years later, friends established a boys school in Chicago, based on that movie...It always seems that, even when we don't feel like we have the time or energy, helping to "carry" a friend's challenges or troubles, actually lightens one's spirit...Wonderful picture and music, too! Thanks, Gary. You always illustrate superb examples of how to treat everyone like brethren :-)
This was a very inspirational post, Gary. I was thinking earlier today about the fact that being a realtor isn't really a job, it is an act of service to others.
Gary, I'm afraid that 1969 was before my time... However, I love your phrase and examples of its use. Like Jesus asked, "Who really is your neighbor?" Turns out, it's a fellow human in need. And someone that we should help.
Gary-Great inspiring posts you keep cranking out. Awesome job with the post, pic and music.
CONGRATS ON THE WELL DESERVED FEATURE. You are such a natural my friend. Well done!!!!
Gary- He isn'y heavy, he is my brother hits home for me as you know. Helping others with no thought of ones self brings rewards that are priceless, smiles that last a lifetime and a joy in ones heart that will always sing a beautiful tune. Thanks for the post Gary
Gary, I know the song well and love it but never knew the history of where the saying comes from or how it was used. Beautiful story to share and thoughts to go with it--the words are so true.
Gary, I just love the meaning behind the phrase. I never knew where it came from. It's beautiful. Boy's Town holds a very special place in my heart. As you know I adopted my 2 kids. They were from a family of 5. One of the siblings was placed in Boys Town for behaviour problems and they were wonderful. Special people, for sure.
Gary, I loved the Hollies. I knew how this came about. And, I truly appreciate your letting others know how this works. It is more appropriate now more than ever. What a great Sunday blog. Are you a preacher or a realtor. Some of both, I suspect.
Karen: Glad I got that tune stuck in your head. Mission accomplished : )
Mary: I am sure you are doing fine. Don't be too hard on yourself. I thought it was a pretty road picture too.
Leah: The giver gets the best of the exchange. I like that. Give more.
Judy: I just love seeing YOU smile. THAT makes my day!!
Russ: Glad to bring that story.
Chris Ann: Keep doing selflessly and you will be richly blessed.
Barb: Good luck with carrying your Dad. You are indeed blessed.
Mara: We all can carry more load than we think. Thanks for the story on the Chicago school. Very interesting how it was inspired. YOU are a light here Mara. No question about it.
Shirley: That is how I look at Realtor too, one who serves.
Regina: I am a member of the Group. Everyone is our neighbor, well said.
Sharon Lee: Thanks for your wonderful words.
Martha: Your brother is always with you for a lifetime to give you special memories and a light heart of course. You are still in my prayers.
Carole: Thanks, glad you liked hearing the background.
Elizabeth Ramsey: Glad to hear your personal story on Boys Town connection.
Suzanne: I am part Realtor part philopher for sure, hadn't thought about the Preacher part, but I guess some in there as well.
Gary ... thank you for a beautifully written post. I read it with my 'nose in the computer' being totally enthralled in your words...love the concept of a cheerful giver! Thank you for adding the music, too ...
Hi Dorie: You are such a faithful reader and commenter here. I love you. It's an oldie but goodie tune and that not being heavy as a burden really cuts through to the love shown.
Hello Bo: You are a wordsmith person for sure. Nose in the computer and enthralled, ...I just love that. Hope you didn't hurt your nose. But seriously glad you liked the concept of the cheerful giver and the tune.
Hey Richard: Wow, five brothers. You all had to learn to get along. Usually each boy would always defend his brothers from outsiders.
Hi Gary Congrats on the feature and a sincerly marvelous message. At times in my career , a thought like that would occur to me and I realized the extent of my passion for it. Love and passion of all kinds makes the impossibe, possible.
Another all about everyone else post. That's what makes you so endearing Gary, you think about others all the time...well almost all the time. And, it's inspiring to read your messages.
Thanks Terrylynn
Gary, Thanks for the inspirational post. There are so many people who need our help, they do not need money but our time. This is such a great country. There are selfless people who volunteer at so many organizations . I have not heard that tune as I grew up in another country. I am going to listen to it.
Gary -- fantastic post. Now I know the history behind this song. This post is indeed an inspiration to us all to help others...no matter what the situation is. Thanks for another wonderful post.
Thank you for the history of that phrase, really nice. A little boy & his brother showing all of us how it needs to be done. Inspirational that we should just do our good deeds for others and expect nothing in return.
Thanks Gary:
It's simply in the giving ! Times are extremely tough in most markets and communities. We do not know from one day to the other how we may find ourselves. We should give even when we cannot, and it's not always in the form of money.giving is saying hello! Giving is sharing of information. It 's taking that hour out of the day to visit that person in the hospital, that homeless sitting under the bridge, the neighbor next door "unconditionally with as Lynn mentions in her comment, expecting nothing back! I'm inspired! I recall a janitor back in elementary school who often gave my brother and I five cents approximately three times a week to puchase a bag of popcorn. He knew our situation, he knew we were hungry. He did nt have to help us ,but he did. That shared bag of popcorn with my brother got us through the day! There's power in giving and thanks so much! Great song!
If I can help, I'm generally happy to do so -- doesn't really matter who is asking for the help. I think that's why we are on Earth -- to help each other. Countless people have unselfishly given me their time over the years without expecting anything for it. Some of those people, well, I don't even know where they are anymore. But I feel that by jumping in to assist those I don't know, the people who have helped me are benefiting. It's about what goes around comes around.
The "cheerful giver" phrase comes from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, when he said, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." The more we give, the more we are blessed. Thank you for the sweet reminder.
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I never knew the history of the phrase - thanks for sharing.