“HE AIN’T HEAVY”…
Without looking at Google, try to identify this writer, (of the title), and 1st group to perform it; you might be surprised! There have been a lot of covers on this song, but the words have a deep meaning, to me at least. I have a lot of friends whom I call “brother”; and a lot of those people just happen to be female, because in my heart, they are my “brothers”. This means I would do anything for them, physically, emotionally, spiritually. We all need someone(s) in our lives in this vein, because we all know that we don’t do everything in our lives alone, nor can we. If it means a thought from someone else from a conversation with them, a suggestion, or a directive, it really doesn’t matter; there are so many different influences that we aren’t alone in actions, and thought. I try to observe, (which is MY job!), to reach into into someone’s head when I’m training them, to find out what their “goal” is, the change that their trying to make, and help to achieve that; from 10%-100%, see even at 1% of that goal, is progress. That progress will be noted by both of us, and progress brings attention to additional progress. Very simple, progress wants more progress.
As I’ve mentioned in the past, there are so many people in my life right now, who I’d say, “He ain’t Heavy”, he’s my brother. Things they’ve done, said, or acted on for me, I must not have been “to heavy”. What some of those actions meant to me wasn’t just in my head,(half-head!), but I saw how how a small move, or action, could motivate me. Here’s an example: I was talking to a friend, and he told me about a third party, and what this 3rd party did for me, without me even knowing about it, and it just flipped me out, and stirred me up so much; here’s an action that was done for me, without me even knowing about it, for the good for me during my brain tumor days. I didn’t seem to be “to heavy”. I also considered this third person as my brother, anyway. “He ain’t Heavy”.
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it”. Hebrews 13:2
I like to entertain clients with saying that have stuck with through the years, from great NFL coach’s, to my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Adams, (who I’m sure I had a crush on!). Remember back in those days, the very formative years, when a teacher called on you to answer a question, you should have some sort of response. Sometimes a person would start out by saying, “I can’t…..”; Mrs. Adams would stop them right there, and blurt out, “Can’t never did anything!”. Now, this is 1969, (ooops), and it has stuck with me through out my professional career. With a client, (when appropriate), claims they “can’t” do something, I’ll remind them of the Mrs. Adams’ saying, and sometimes this client of mine might be so familiar with Mrs. Adams, that as soon as I mention her name, sometimes “I know, I know…!” starts to come out of their mouth! The reason I bring this up, is this was a comment made to me a loooong time ago; one that resonates with me still; she was an angel to me then, she is an angel to me now. Always try to be treating your “people” in a very positive way, not just clients, but people. Last week I got a phone call, from someone I had visited at UCLA , in the neurological trauma ward, 6north. I was working with clients, when I got the call, ( I never answer the phone when I am working), so she left a message, but she didn’t mention her name in the message. I tell you, I listened to that message maybe 20 times, trying to find her name in there, somewhere. I still haven’t found it, but her message was about us, (her and I) talking at UCLA in her room after her brain operation, how it changed her perception on her condition, and listen to this; that the day she called, was going to be her first day of chemo. Can you imagine that? Something that I said to someone, who I don’t know her, or her name, changed her attitude on our conversation! I don’t even remember what the conversation was about! That’s my point, here, be nice and positive to strangers; I was lucky to get some feedback, but sometime we never do. It’s never to much to do that, never, never, never.
The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I’m strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We’ll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
If I’m laden at all
I’m laden with sadness
That everyone’s heart
Isn’t filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
It’s a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we’re on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn’t weigh me down at all
He ain’t heavy he’s my brother
He’s my brother
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
Look at these, maybe a few times, and let them sink in, feel them. We want to help those that we can, train clients with feelings, (not just trying to get to the next clients), maybe changing a dream to do good, and really, enjoy it all; trust me, you WILL enjoy it all.
“For my power is made perfect in weakness”. 2 Corinthians 12:9
