"My life is my message." -- Mahatma Gandhi

George Bailey always works his way into my life at this time of year, and I'm always glad to welcome him back.

You know, George, the character portrayed by Jimmy Stewart in the Frank Capra film, It's a Wonderful Life. He has his wish granted by a bumbling-but-well-intentioned angel to have never been born, and then gets to see what the world would have been like without him. George considered himself a failure and a man of little consequence. But without him, Bedford Falls, which had been an idyllic small town and community, is a different, darker place.

As many times as I've watched this movie, I've never connected Bailey and Gandhi before. But this is how I'm taking renewed inspiration from George this year. His life was an absolute Times Square lightboard message about generosity, kindness, and selfless attention to doing the right thing. The only one who didn't perceive George vividly and influentially living those values every day was George himself, at least not until he suffered through what I've come to think of as the George Bailey Exercise. He takes himself out of the equation of life and comes to see just how much of a difference one simple person can make.

Simple story.

Simple five-word quote.

Powerful reminder to pay attention to the messages we send with the actions we take, and to be intentional and thoughtful about the differences we can make.

Make 2009 a Great Year,

Brian

BLOG: Brian@GrowthWorks