A Book About Buckets

by Karen
(Sydney,NSW,Australia)

What I read in How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton made a tremendous impact on me.

According to Publishers Weekly the book explores:

"how using positive psychology in everyday interactions can dramatically change our lives. Clifton and Rath suggest that we all have a bucket within us that needs to be filled with positive experiences, such as recognition or praise. When we're negative toward others, we use a dipper to remove from their buckets and diminish their positive outlook. When we treat others in a positive manner, we fill not only their buckets but ours as well."

Prior to reading the book, I had often wondered about how much of a difference I made in other people's lives.

I thought:

I say something nice to someone. Give someone an encouraging word. Pay attention to someone's story. Lend an ear to a child. Yes, sure it feels nice to do these things. But I really don't know what difference it makes.

After reading this book, I'm a believer that our actions do make a difference. The authors refer to true stories and actual findings which show how our outlook on life, our self-image, our view of the world, can be seriously affected by what others say to us, how others treat us.

Now I am much more aware of the responsibility I carry when I choose to say a certain something to someone, or treat them in a certain way. I may never see the outcome of my actions, but they can have far-reaching effects.

So I do have a great responsibility in how I act toward others, it's true. But I feel so alive knowing there is power in how I treat people. This makes the living of my life very meaningful and fulfilling.