The Life You Touch May be Your Own
by Juliet Funt
As the daughter of Allen Funt, of the Candid Camera Show, the question I am most frequently asked is, “What was it like to be Allen Funt’s daughter?” I never know quite how to answer; as he was the only father I have ever had and thus defies comparison. The second most frequent is, “Were you paranoid as a child?" This is an odd but valid question considering my father's occupation. The answer is “No,” because the realization that I was or could be observed at any time rarely entered my mind.
As the daughter of the most famous benign voyeur in America, self-consciousness would have seemed warranted, but I have discovered that the public nature of my family's life was not unique. The truth is that no private life is truly private. Our conduct, whether or not it is consciously directed towards others, influences, teaches and guides the world around us. The weight of our choices is great because others watch the movie of our lives. And the degree to which we acknowledge our power in this regard, is the degree to which we can maximize it.
Urbanologists summarize all human interaction with the term “Social Process.” But there is a unique category within the Social Process model, “Anonymous Social Process” (A.S.P.) defined as the interpersonal impact we have on people we never meet. It is an invisible thread weaving us together, but many never know it exists.
Anonymous Social Process awareness is an essential addition to any personal development larder. We only need to start, as with any muscle we target for growth and toning…to exercise. So without further ado…allow me to start you off...
30 Anonymous Social Process Opportunities
1) Filling the copier paper when you have used the last sheet
2) Answering the questions for a phone survey
3) Letting someone pull ahead of you in traffic
4) Returning your supermarket cart to its little cart-corral
5) Signing a petition for something you believe in
6) Maintaining a beautiful garden for people to see
7) Learning C.P.R.
8) Re-learning your C.P.R. when you get rusty and have forgotten it
9) Taking only what you will eat at a buffet
10) Staying within the lines in the parking lot
11) Tidying the sink in an airplane lavatory
12) Refraining from picking wildflowers by a hiking trail
13) Making food at a shelter
14) Calling the boss of a superb salesperson to compliment them
15) Refraining from gossip (even that really juicy tidbit)
16) Installing handicap-access facilities in a building you own
17) Picking up litter
18) Saying "No thanks." to a phone salesman
19) Squeezing the fruit ...gently... in the market
20) NOT taking your sweet time to turn off a car alarm
21) Refraining from honking your horn
22) Taking responsibility for an error you have made
23) Giving the neighborhood ice cream man $10 for the next 5 kids
24) Hanging up your clothes in the Banana Republic dressing room
25) Walking slowly
26) Returning your library books as soon as you are done with them
27) Giving blood or platelets or becoming an organ donor
28) Canceling a restaurant reservation you will not be using
29) Putting extra money in a parking meter for the next person
30) Being happy (Reminding others that it is always an option)
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