Hope Rubs Off - Hakuna Matata! No Worries... A True Life Story of Inspiration

Recently I've been trying to help out a family in a west African country with some goals they are working on.

Part of this involved receiving a letter that had been sent all the way from their country to my front door through their country's mail system, via airmail, and then into our country's mail system.

The wait was agonizing for them as they had probably never sent international mail in the past to know how slow it really can be, nor had I ever received mail from west Africa, so neither of us knew exactly what to expect.  I anticipated at least 5 days.

As the days passed, the comments from them grew more and more disparaging.  As I was speaking with one in the family the conversation went this way, after being informed the letter had not yet arrived 5 days after being sent...

"I dont know what to do now.  That is bad"

I said, "It's not a huge problem.  I just thought it would be better if it were hand written and mailed, but if we can only do it email, then that is how we'll do it.  Hakuna Matata!  No worries!"

Being from west Africa, not east Africa, where Swahili is spoken, my friend had only heard the term in the movies...

"Hakuna Matata.  The Lion King, right?  Isn't it a story ?"

I explained, "Yes, it has been popularized in that Disney movie, but it is Swahili, and it is a great way to live your life.  No worries!  Over in east Africa it is said all the time whenever somebody starts to worry too much about something.  They're just saying "Relax, don't worry about it.  Things will be OK."

A positive attitude has the power to totally transform people around you and only a moment later my friend's entire outlook transformed...

My friend enthusiastically exclaimed to my explanation, "I SWEAR TO GOD, YOU ARE WILLING TO HELP ME LOTS!  I CAN SEE THAT." 

I was surprised by the almost instantaneous change and chuckled a bit, "LOL...  I do what I can, and whatever I am unable to do, I leave in God's hands.  That's a good way I think.  I think it will still come. It is just slow, but if we have to do it another way... Hakuna Matata!"

"Hakuna Matata!  Nice words.  You are very nice, and have made me smile." was the reply.

I responded, "That's why God put me here I guess.  lol"

My friend replied in return, "I guess that was  why God asked me to contact you."

My friend checked in with me almost daily, agonizing over whether or not the letter had come, and finally, 11 days after it was mailed it arrived within the threshhold of my home...

We met on Skype that afternoon, "I FINALLY got the letter!"

My friend couldn't believe it, "What?  Oh Thank God!  I am very happy today!"

"Yes, it is great to finally see it."

My friend asked, "So does my brother have a chance of getting to his future?"

I answered, "Yes, I think whether I am able to help him or he finds help somewhere else, he will create his great future.  He has a very positive mind and I will do all I can to help him succeed in his goals."

"THANKS A LOT!" blasted back at me in big capital letters.

I smiled inside myself, "No problem.  That's what friends are for."

My friend asked again, "So, Mr.Randy..do you hope my brother is really going to get some help ?  I have been thinking of that."

"Yes, of course I hope so.  We will do all we can and God will do the rest."

My reply of absolute hope and positivity affected an instantaneous positive nature in my friend as well.

My friend proclaimed, "You have much hope, and that gives me hope too."

I simply replied, "God puts hope in both our hearts and we help each other.  Thank you."

This is a simple and true story exemplifying how hope and exercising a positive nature literally "rubs off" on those whom we associate with.

Work at being more positive in all your interactions and watch the magic unfold right before your very eyes! 

Goodness knows I've got room for improvement. 

I'll work at it too... :)

Your Forever Friend,

Randy Enman