Dippers, Holders, and Fillers

“We must be the change we want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi

I believe it was about a year ago that I remember receiving a very inspiring email about people and their spoons and buckets. The email told a story that I believe teaches some valuable lessons so I will paraphrase what I remember from that story.

Each individual person has a spoon and a bucket that we carry around with us each day. Each person’s bucket has water in it which represents our confidence, self-esteem, excitement, and optimism for the day. The water level varies day by day. With the spoon we carry each day, we have three options of what we can do with it. First, we can choose to be a “dipper” which is someone who dips into other people’s bucket and scoops out some water. Second, we can choose to be a “holder” which is someone who holds their spoon tight to their chest all day and does not use it at all. Last, we can choose to be a “filler” which is someone who uses their spoon to add fresh water to other’s buckets. Throughout each day we are probably all three at some time but we need to ask ourselves are we more often dippers, holders, or fillers? Ultimately, we decide whether we will be a dipper, holder, or filler.

I enjoyed this story (but did not do it justice in my paraphrasing) and I believe the lessons are powerful and obvious. Each day we have the amazing ability to either positively or negatively impact others. Each day we decide whether we will use our spoon to add to or take away or do nothing for the people we interact with. Imagine if every person was busily engaged in putting water into other’s buckets—our world would be a very different place!

This change in the world can start with us. We should think about our actions, words, and thoughts and determine if they are taking water out or adding water to other people’s buckets. Also, are we holding too tight to our spoon and not participating in the good we could be giving to others? As we strive to add water to others, our bucket will remain full as well and our happiness and satisfaction in life will increase!