Making a difference in someone’s day, week, or life could be as easy as a spontaneous, no cost gesture, or simple act of kindness.

Making a lasting impression may not even be something that you think is significant.

Think back over your life to the individuals that had a positive or uplifting impact that may not have realized how they influenced your thinking or set you on a different path entirely. 

Isn’t it amazing that you still recall those moments today?

We don’t have to have millions in our bank account or start a profitable foundation.

Every day, we can lift others with mindful awareness and connectedness.

We can maximize our unique strengths and abilities to reach out and give an emotional hand up.

We can mentor and build success ladders with intention and commitment.

We lead by example and action. We set an example and create an energetic ripple of good deeds.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Curious about how and who influences our identities? 

Listen Episode 11, the origin story:

https://lift-as-you-climb.captivate.fm/episode/origin-lift-as-you-climb-layc11

Read more www.WhoAmINowBook.com

BONUS:

If you are ready to take the next steps in your transformation and reinvention journey, one of my fabulous free resources awaits you at: www.MYENCORE.ME  Register for my free download tool that will help you tally up of your accumulated lifetime value.

About the Host:

Isabel Alexander – Vitality Champion, Business

Strategist, and Transformation Catalyst

Dynamic, a self-made entrepreneur who overcame obstacles with an unrelenting positive nature, a farm girl work ethic, and a conscious choice to thrive rather than survive, Isabel Alexander cultivated an award-winning, $10 million+ global chemical business and grew it from dining room table to international boardrooms.

Isabel’s strengths include the ability to initiate and nurture strategic relationships, a love of lifelong learning, and talents for helping others maximize their potential. 

An inspiring speaker within both industry and community, she is a driving force behind those with the courage to foll0ow her example of thriving against the odds.

With 50+ years of business experience across diverse industries, Isabel is respected as an advisor, a coach, a mentor, and a role model. She believes in sharing collective wisdom and empowering others to economic independence.

Chief Encore Officer, The Encore Catalyst (www.theencorecatalyst.com) – an accelerator for feminine wisdom, influence, and impact.

[~]

Founder of the Lift As You Climb Movement (www.facebook.com/groups/liftasyouclimbmovement)

[~]

Author & Speaker ‘Who Am I Now? – Feminine Wisdom Unmasked Uncensored’ (www.IsabelBanerjee.com)

[~]

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/isabelalexanderbanerjee/

Thank You for Listening!

It means so much that you listened to this podcast! If you know anyone else who might find this show valuable or entertaining, please help recommend they listen and share it on your favorite social media platform.

We are Listening

If you have questions about this episode, please email me at Hello@TheEncoreCatalyst.com

Subscribe to the Podcast

If you wish to receive automatic notifications as new podcast episodes are made available, please subscribe to the podcast app on your devices.

Leave a Review  

Every bit of feedback offered to help make this a value-packed part of your week is appreciated!

Ratings and reviews from listeners are used to improve the podcasts. They also help others find this series in their podcast ‘App’ so reviews are very much appreciated!

#SharingIsCaring

Hello everyone, and welcome back!

Today, I have the pleasure of spending some time with you to talk

more about the true meaning and the intent to behind Lift As You Climb.

To set the stage, if you want to go back to the origins of this

podcast in 2021 in episode 11...

I told a story of how Lift As You Climb, came to be a mantra for me,

a guiding principle in my life.

And I won't go into all of those details now, but it's worth a

listen because it sets the stage.

It explains why this is so important to me in my life, and why I believe

that it is so important for everyone to understand Lift As You Climb,

and practice it as much as they can.

This morning...

The thoughts on my walk were about...

What do people think of Lift As You Climb?

And what does it mean for them?

And I know that for some, they think of this as some philanthropic organization

you could only really be a part of it, or make a significant impact if you're people

like Bill and Melinda Gates, and you have a lot of money, and you have a foundation,

and you have the resources behind you to really impact people's lives.

And then, as it would happen, a situation that took place this

morning on my walk about 6:30 really brought it home for me about...

Lift As You Climb, and how it can be part of all of our lives.

I was walking along, listening to a podcast, thinking about

what I wanted to talk about next.

And I was about to make a left hand turn onto a side street off of my main route.

When, just before I stepped off of the sidewalk, a car coming towards me,

made a very abrupt right hand turn onto that street at a fairly high speed...

Came to a quick stop about a hundred feet in, and I saw the driver's door

fling open, and I saw a head bob down...

as I continued to walk, approaching the car...

And I'll be honest...

I was a little annoyed because I thought wow...

That was very reckless driving and very rude.

Almost cut me off as a pedestrian.

I heard the very distinctive and disturbing sounds of someone being sick.

Someone vomiting...

Vomiting with great intention and discomfort.

I was at first like, Awww...Eeewww and I continued to walk, I was

gonna pass the vehicle, and then I thought, Mmm no, I I can't do that.

What if there's something really wrong with this person?

Shame on me for not showing some compassion.

So I backtracked a few steps, and I came up alongside the car.

I see that it's a young woman, probably in her twenties or thirties.

Hanging out of the driver's seat, holding under the steering

wheel, throwing her heart out...

And her guts, onto the street.

She was coughing and sputtering and it was obviously very, very distressing for her.

And I was concerned because the first thing that actually came through my

mind is that nausea/vomiting is one of the symptoms for female heart attack.

And I thought...

Oh my God, maybe this young, woman's having a heart attack.

When she settled a bit, and could breathe, I asked her if she was alright.

if she needed me to call 911, She took a breath, and straightened up, and said...

No, It's okay.

No, you don't have to call the ambulance.

And I said, What's wrong?

What can I do to help you?

And she flushed face cheeks...

Little embarrassed, looked at me and said, I'm a little bit pregnant.

And I don't feel good.

She went on to explain that she was suffering from a bout of morning

sickness, and It was all she could do to pull her car over to the side

of the road before she lost it.

I stood there and chatted with her for a while.

And of course, she was embarrassed and uncomfortable.

But I assured her...

I'd already had given birth to two babies myself...

And in those pregnancies, there were lots of times that I did things that I thought

were embarrassing, not for public display.

And it was fine.

I just wanted to stay with her until I was sure she was okay.

I had some mints in my walking purse, and I offered those, and we

chatted for a few minutes and she told me a little bit about herself.

Then when I felt that she was settled and all right to move on...

On her way...

I bid her farewell and said...

It's okay.

I know that this is very unpleasant right now for you, but hang in there

kid, because I promise you the prize, the end of this, will be worth it.

She laughed, and I was so happy that I could restore a smile to her face

and some hopefulness for this next few months journey through maternity.

With that, she put her seatbelt back on and proceeded on her way,

and I proceeded to finish my walk.

But as I was walking, I was thinking about...

Wow, I know that was the right thing to do.

I know that I did the right thing as a human being and I lifted her spirits.

And it cost me absolutely nothing, but a few moments of my time and

to be present with her and let her know that she wasn't alone in this

scary and embarrassing moment.

That got me to thinking that Lift As You Climb...

Being a philanthropist, doing something of impact, to lift others up, and

make their life a little better.

Isn't just about having money.

Or giving somebody stuff, It's about caring, having compassion as a human

being and stopping and recognizing the amazing, exponential power that

we do have, the gifts that we have, that we carry around with ourselves...

All the time.

If we spread those out, if we spread that currency of compassion,

and pay more attention to our fellow citizens on this planet...

We do, as they say, lift all the boats.

So I started to think about...

So what are the other ways that if you don't feel like you want to, or it's

not the only thing that you can do to make a donation or to volunteer or in

an organization, whatever that may be.

What are some other small gestures, simple acts of kindness that can impact someone

else around you in your life experience.

And certainly.

The one that I think is the easiest for all of us is simply to notice

other people and To smile at them, sincerely with your eyes.

Even if you've got a mask on under the circumstances, you can smile

with your eyes and make them know.

I see you and you matter.

Making eye contact is part of that really making eye contact with someone

and recognizing them as a human being with feelings and needs and value.

Saying good morning with enthusiasm.

Now I'm a pretty outgoing person, and so it is my " raison d'etre", to make

other people a little happier every day.

So I do wave and I do smile.

But for a while I did catch myself just saying...

Morning...

Until I realized...

I could do better.

I could say...

Good morning.

Great morning.

Wonderful morning!

Fabulous morning...

Like I really meant it...

With enthusiasm.

I wave to the people on the other side of the street.

Now, of course, and I'm walking in the same neighborhood, I'm starting to see

the same people over and over again.

I'm starting to recognize them and they're recognizing me.

But I can assure you in the very beginning of those days, some of

them looked at me rather suspiciously when I was waving and smiling and

just acknowledging their presence.

I think that, in person, there are certain ways as well.

you've probably already done some of these, but it bears reminding.

That there are so many opportunities to lift someone else's spirits

by the actions that we take that cost us so little time and money.

Sending a handwritten note to somebody.

Recently I was invited to a neighbors, for a glass of wine on their balcony.

I'm new in this building.

And I don't know a lot of people here yet, coming out of COVID

restrictions, we really all kept to ourselves, but it was such a

lovely evening to be acknowledged...

They lifted me, they lifted my spirits and made me feel warm and, welcomed.

So I wrote to them a handwritten thank you note the next morning

and slipped it under their door.

Just to acknowledge how much it meant to me to have that personal connection.

So I think if you can do that, if you have the opportunity...

Why not?

It doesn't have to be an expensive thing, it can just be a plain

piece of paper, or it can be a dollar store card, a note card.

Making the effort is a great value.

Mail a card or a letter on non-recognized occasions.

So yes, many of us will still send out birthday cards or at least hand deliver

birthday cards or Christmas cards.

But what about the impact and the surprise, the joy, that you can bring to

somebody on a completely random date, or for a completely random reason...

Where they go to their mailbox, and instead of finding junk mail or

a bill, or a jury duty summons...

They find a lovely, surprising card.

Maybe it's something that's funny, or maybe it's something that's,

inspirational, whatever it is...

Do it.

You can buy somebody a cup of coffee and deliver it to their

office or their door or...

as we hear from time to time these warm stories...

Buy a cup of coffee or some fast food for the person in line

behind you at the drive-through.

All different ways to surprise, delight and lift the spirits of somebody else at

the grocery store or any other facility where you're lining up, queuing up for

your turn to check out at the register.

Be aware of who's around you, and who may have just a few

items, or even if they don't...

If you don't have a deadline...

Welcome them to go ahead of you, encourage them to feel special,

and have them know that you're doing this for no other reward or

acknowledgement, simply because you can.

You could buy a movie ticket for the person in the line behind you at the movie

theater if you're back out doing that.

Things as simple as stopping at a lemonade stand when you see

kids out doing that, cuz I think they're starting to do it now again.

Or selling Girl Guide cookies...

or whatever it is.

Whether you want the cookies or the lemonade or not, make a donation.

Show them that you appreciate their entrepreneurship and their ingenuity.

Maybe they are fundraising, so that they can Lift As They Climb.

Do a favor, surprise a neighbor.

Bring in their trash cans, mow their lawn, shovel their walk, or driveway.

Something that you can do not with commitment, but with giving sense.

Bring some flowers to somebody who's shut in, perhaps not getting enough visitors.

Or drop by a residence where the Seniors are not getting enough visitors,

and just randomly bring a bouquet or potted plant, and leave it with a

note for who ever needs this today.

Compliments definitely are something that I think we all can practice

at receiving gracefully, and giving more frequently and more generously.

When you meet someone, look sincerely at them and compliment them on

something that you do really like.

Don't be fake...

Don't say I love that dress...

When it's something you think should be burnt.

There's always something positive that you can say to lift someone else's spirit.

Perhaps you tip a little extra at a restaurant or when you stop and

buy a coffee or any other quick in and out facility where normally

tips aren't included or considered.

One of the things that makes me very happy every day is when I walk past

this particular part of my route...

Someone has painted uplifting messages on rocks.

Hand painted bright orange, and they have inscripted a message on them.

Even if it's a happy face...

Paint some rocks, spread them around where people will

be delighted to find them.

Invariably the message on them just happens to be the perfect

encouragement that they needed.

I've also noticed a number of people who are very thoughtfully filling

bowls of fresh water for dog walkers...

with lovely encouraging signs that say...

refresh your dog, the water is changed every day.

For me it's a sense of camaraderie...

community for everyone together to care.

Maybe these people don't have a dog, maybe they do.

But they're extending friendship to the people going by their home.

I think that together, we could come up with hundreds and hundreds of small

gestures, acts of kindness, that we could cycle through every day and create a wave

of greater joy and happiness together.

I invite you to think about that.

Think about the surprises that you have received, that made you feel better, that

lifted you up, and thereby, feeling elevated, you've gone about your day,

doing things for other people too.

Share in the comments your ideas, so we can all spread this around the world

together and lift as we climb together.

Be the one who makes a positive difference in someone else's day.

Every day that you can...