Change the world by turning meanness into kindness

Have you ever experienced a moment where just a word from another person changed your outlook on life for either the better or worse? We all have the power to make an impact on the world. I often wonder whether we all see that we hold that power, both good and bad. It turns out I am not alone in thinking about this.

McKinsey Health Institute recently published the report “Adding years to life and life to years” (see mck.co/3JG4UMz ). I love that they have all the research, not just anecdotal evidence, to back up the title. The report states clearly that, although the average life expectancy has increased significantly over the past centuries, if we as society challenge ourselves to embrace a modern understanding of health, including mental, social, and spiritual health, and other factors that influence holistic health, we could add six more years of higher-quality life per person on average.

LIFT, SQUARE, AND EXTEND

The authors write, “We have the opportunity to Lift (enhance average quality of life), Square (improve the portion of life spent in good health) and Extend (increase global life expectancy) the curve, mapping the average course of life over the next decade.”

The report cites four key areas of influence in achieving these extra high-quality years. One is social health: our ability to build healthy, nurturing, genuine, and supportive relationships.

As eye care providers, we watch every day the impact we have on our patients. After years of spending time with thousands of patients, we learn that our impact is in the care we provide and in the healthy, genuine, and supportive relationships we build. It is a privilege to help each patient realize a better quality of life through the experience we provide.

Now, how do we take this a step further? Does this mean that we can impact the quality of life of the cashier at a coffee bar, or influence the person waiting in line next to us simply by how we interact with them? The answer is, it depends. If we are watchful for that moment and the other person is receptive, then a simple “thank you,” a smile, or a compliment can brighten their day and shift them into a more positive mindset, which can then lead to healthier relationships in their lives. It is a little bit more than paying it forward, and it works a lot better if everyone is on board.

IT STARTS WITHIN

It can be so easy to react to negativity with more negativity. The only way to turn things around is to start within. Look for the opportunity to make a difference. I try to ask each patient at each visit how they are doing and what their goals are for the day. I then wait to hear where I can help make a difference. My goal is to make people see better and to make them have a better quality of life. I know it is even more encouraging to all of us to be aware that by doing this, we are one step closer to unlocking up to 45 billion years of higher-quality life.

Let it start with optometry. We will be on the front line of empowering people to thrive and giving them a bigger reason to make a positive difference in the lives they touch. Imagine a world where people are deliberate in turning meanness into kindness, knowing that everyone benefits in the end. OM

Email: april.jasper@pentavisionmedia.com

Twitter: @DrAprilJasper

Facebook: @OptometricManagement