My husband likes beets. I know, I know...so what? Well, my husband likes beets and I didn't know. I mean I had absolutely no idea.
         We were trying to locate a picture and our search took us into a trunk where we are storing photo albums and memorabilia from our wedding. Tucked inside a planning binder where I had kept bills, schedules and to-do lists, I found some items from the early weeks of our marriage including the till receipt from our first trip to the grocery store. Curious to see what we felt were necessary groceries, I started reading the list and burst out laughing when I came upon the purchase of a can of beets. "Beets?" I laughed, "Why in the world would we buy beets?" since I thoroughly dislike them. To which my husband responded, "Because I love beets."
         And I didn't know. Granted, it's not the most important thing to know about a person, but after sharing my life with this man for as long as I have, I should have been able to list beets among his favourite foods. Sadly, I know Barack Obama doesn't eat beets but I wasn't paying close enough attention to know my husband would like to. Not knowing this hasn't had life-altering affects, but of course in other instances not knowing is a potential for tremendous harm.
         Not knowing the warning signs of a heart attack puts lives at risk. Not knowing how to use a fire extinguisher endangers lives and puts property in jeopardy. Not knowing how to manage money causes financial vulnerability. Not knowing can have serious ramifications.
         Not knowing how to express gratitude for what we have makes us unable to open our hearts for what more may come. Not knowing how to say thank you makes us unable to appreciate the fullness of what someone has done for us. Not knowing how to demonstrate compassion makes us less effective at determining what our action plan should be to help others.
         Perhaps it's not so much we don't know how… maybe it's more that we have forgotten, or in the busyness of life we have stopped to take the time to do so. But just as recognizing the signs of a heart attack is of crucial importance--so is recognizing and expressing concern for who, and what, is around us.
         I didn't know about a family who was sleeping on the floor because they had no beds, or that a lady who was away was concerned her lawn needed mowing, or that it takes pocket change to inoculate a child against deadly disease in nations I've never visited. But someone else did, we were told, and once we knew we could choose to do something about it.
         That's why we need to listen not only with ears that hear but with hearts that empathize. When we know…we can do. Do what is helpful. Do what brings comfort. Do what brings hope. Do what will increase the joy, alleviate some heartache, and help with the emotional and physical heavy lifting.
         We may use too many words when what was needed was a hug, we may bring a cake when what was preferred was a pie, we may show up with the incorrect tools or even buy the wrong groceries. We may fumble the attempts but don't be discouraged to take action. Doing for others is so much more fulfilling than living for ourselves. So we stand up. brush ourselves off and get ready for the next opportunity because we better believe one is coming shortly…and it will…if we listen…so we know. It's why we need to pay attention to the news, engage in our communities and interact with our neighbours.          I need to go buy some beets and do a couple of other things…because now I know. That's my outlook.
