One Time, One Meetingstring(21) "One Time, One Meeting"
My daughter, Cassie (AKA Dorian Prin – professional name), is a graphic designer and she’s working on the cover of my next book: The Networking Mentor. I’m including a “sneak peek” of the working graphic for the cover of the book here in this article.
I was talking to Dorian about the paragraph below which is excerpted from the book:
We’ve all had mentors who are in “our story.” When we talk about how our life has changed through our experiences with them, they are part of that story. However, there is something even more important: The real question is not who’s in our story but whose story are we in? Whose life have we made a difference in? That’s what creates a meaningful life, and that’s why this book is for both mentees and mentors.
In our conversation I mentioned that sometimes you might meet someone only once but that meeting is so profound, it can have an influence on you for the rest of your life.
一期一会
Dorian spent some time in Japan and can speak the language. She said the Japanese have a saying that relates to this concept. She said the Japanese phrase is: 一期一会 (ichi go ichi e). Its direct translation is “one time, one meeting” but it probably can be translated more accurately as “once in a lifetime meeting” and is about the cultural concept of the importance of the unrepeatable nature of connections between people who meet. It is a Buddhist concept specifically tied to the tea ceremony and was the topic of contemplation for the tea ceremony she once participated in during one of her visits to Japan.
The lesson here is that you never know how the things you say may influence someone else. Even if you only meet them once. An off-handed comment can have a profound effect (either good or bad) on the person you are talking to.
So, I have a question for you. What has someone said to you that profoundly affected you in business OR in life? Share your story here on my blog. I’d really like to hear it. Post it below in the comments.