Inspiration: Whistle Near the Blindman

The title of this blog is not my own. When I was in my teens my boyfriend shared he one day wanted to write a book with this title.

He felt that folks needed to be reminded and/or taught that even with only sparing a moment you can support someone else. He thought that perhaps an easy picture book of short quips might help improve people’s behavior towards one another because he can help them find the opportunities that may not appear as obvious to them.

When my boyfriend would walk down the streets of NYC and see a blind man with his cane, he would whistle a happy tune just to make them aware he was there. If they needed him he has made his presence known and/or simply made the blind man aware he’s not alone.

But there was a bigger challenge it appears than sharing the ease with which one can support another person. The predecessor of course is to want to support others. What is the motivation behind helping others and how can that be encouraged? What are the benefits?

I try and employ some of his techniques on each of my outdoor adventures and I am happy to share many have done it for me as well! I will try and share some of the benefits that I have found.

1- By focusing on someone else’s needs for a few moments it may offer you a distraction from an issue you are experiencing. You may find that you return with an improved clarity to address your own issues.

2- You may make a new friend or contact. Who knows what you can learn from that person’s experience. With one brief life for us all it’s a great value to learn from others. I have often found that I am able to draw from other people’s experiences which have helped me make a decision in my own life.

3- I have had the benefit of experiencing people “paying it forward” when someone does a good turn. While it feels like only one person at a time, it’s awesome to hear when your good turn dominoes to others and watch as that kindness multiplies.

4- With many struggling financially, you can often impact someone’s life without any financial contribution and it simply makes you feel really good!

Now we all may not be like my prior boyfriend who was always predominantly focused on helping others even to his own detriment. We may need a little reminder and make a conscious effort to even recognize the opportunity. To ensure I am reminded I married that boyfriend over 30 years ago and he continues to find ways to help support people as a doctor.

Case in point there’s the pandemic of 2020 and the societal division about wearing a mask to protect not only yourself but others. I’m hopeful that the tide is turning and more of society is coming to better understand the importance.

Perhaps more people may better understand and appreciate the benefits of helping one another and want to find more opportunity such that Dr. Brian Sheets can one day write that best selling book, “Whistle Near the Blindman.”