The View from My Section

The View from My Section – A Father’s Perspective “Every action we take impacts the lives of others around us.”

- Quote by Arthur Carmazzi

BY A. KEITH TILLEY

Arthur Carmazzi is a bestselling author, founder of Directive Communication Psychology, and one of the world’s Top 10 most influential thought leaders in leadership and organizational culture (as reported by Global Gurus).

When I first read his quote, I was taken aback by its sheer simplicity, yet abundant relevance. At first glance, it doesn’t appear especially insightful. You may have even thought twice about reading any further. If so, I humbly ask that you indulge me, and hopefully, you won’t be disappointed.

As you think about the quote, in-depth, you discover there’s more than what appears to be on the surface. After all, common sense tells us that what we do can have an impact on others. For example, noticing there are only three left of a particular grocery item on the store shelf and instead of just taking one, we take all three. Or, being in a hurry and seeing an elderly man hobbling across the parking lot towards the store entrance, we rush ahead, so as not to be slowed down waiting on him to enter in front of us. Perhaps upon exiting the store with your purchases you quickly empty the store buggy, and instead of pushing it over to the designated cart stand, you simply leave it in the vacant space beside your vehicle.

Innocent and apparent tame actions on the surface that may have larger consequences for others. Such as the person who desperately needed that store item, and didn’t have time to travel to another store because she was late for an important event in which she was supposed to bring “said item”. Or the fact that the elderly man was a Vietnam Veteran who saved multiple lives as an army medic, and suffered through a decade of knee injuries until he was barely able to walk, but was too prideful to use a wheelchair. And finally, the buggy, blown by the strong wind, rolls across the parking lot in front of a passing vehicle causing damage to a young teenager’s first car. One in which, he worked for two years to be able to afford to buy.

But, not all actions are bad. There are alternative stories as well. Actions that people took that led to positive benefits for others. Some they were aware of and others they never imagined possible. One such action took place in November 2007. That was when a young woman, who had spent years working in Corporate America, found herself in a unique position to partner with her good friend and start a magazine. It was an action that resulted in many positive effects on others far beyond what she would have anticipated.

This month marks Robin Bralley’s final issue as the publisher of Forsyth Family Magazine. And though she will still be affiliated with it, she will be stepping down as the face you’ve grown to enjoy seeing at the front of the magazine each month. Though it invokes sadness to see her no longer in this role, after over fifteen years and nearly 200 issues later, she’s earned her success and the right to enjoy the next phase of her life with her husband Tim, daughters Briana and Morgan, and the rest of their family.

Just as Carmazzi suggests, Robin is a positive example of taking an action that impacted the lives of so many others beneficially. For our readers, it meant selecting interesting, informative, and entertaining stories to tell you each month. Along with sponsoring important community events, and providing valuable resources to products and services in the area that assist your needs and grow local businesses at the same time. There’s also another important group that her action affected positively, and that’s the writers, graphic designers, editors, interns, and staff along the way who joined the “family.”

Being fortunate to be a part of this journey since the third issue in January 2008, I watched it grow from a creative idea to a staple of the community. Most everyone has seen, picked up a copy, or become one of the many loyal monthly readers of the magazine at some point along the way. And that’s due in no small part to Robin’s drive and determination to give her local community something else to be a part of and proud to associate with.

Her “action” has helped readers, businesses, non-profit organizations, youth sports, charities, and services of all kinds. It’s even helped celebrate graduations, special anniversaries and occasions, and local school artists, within its pages. To say its favorably impacted the lives of our readers, well that’s for you to determine, but there’s no doubt, for those of us fortunate to share this journey with her, it has positively impacted ours. And I’m so glad to be a character in this incredible story.

Cheers to you, Robin! May your next story be just as fulfilling, for you and everyone associated with you. I have no doubt it will be. I wish you all the best, and I’m proud to call you, my friend.