Heart of a Friend
The Heart of a Friend podcast was born out of a desire to share some of the most important things learned from a lifetime of experience. It is hosted by Andy Wiegand. Andy retired in 2017 after 40 years of pastoral ministry. He and his wife now reside in Columbus, Ohio. They have raised six children and are now very happy to be grandparents.
Andy grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and received his education at Harvard University (B.A. ’73) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div. ’78). In his retirement Andy devotes time to charitable work, visits with friends and family, exercises and continues to do a lot of reading and thinking about life.
Heart of a Friend
Ep. 2 | A Simple Approach to a Better Life | Part 2 (1 John 4:7a)
Ep. 2 | A Simple Approach to a Better Life | Part 2 (1 John 4:7a)
Episode 2 - The secret of influence and making the world a better place - the magical power of reciprocity.
How does this kind of love change things?
First, something changes inside of me.
Second, something slowly begins to change in other people
Confucius was once asked by a student: “Master, what is the one word that stands as a rule for all of life?” His answer: “ That one word…would be reciprocity.” The Apostle Paul said something similar: “A person reaps what they sow.” Reciprocity. A more contemporary statement of the principle of reciprocity comes from Zig Ziglar - an author and motivational speaker. He put it this way: “If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they are very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.” I’m not claiming that this works every time. We all know there are exceptions. But nine times out of ten reciprocity does work...so, if we demonstrate love to another person, we’re going to get love in return.
The principle of reciprocity works universally - not just in churches.
One of my favorite podcasts on leadership is produced by Carey Nieuwhoff. Not long ago he interviewed Dee Ann Turner, from Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A does make a good chicken sandwich but the real secret of their success formula (that has grown the company to $10s of billions of dollars in annual revenue) is not about the chicken. It’s about the amazing culture of customer service they have created. They CARE... intensely about their customers...the entire organization is built around having a heart for service. Loving the customer. Doing what’s best for the customer, whatever it takes. Chick-Fil-A loves its customers and, no surprise, its customers love Chick-Fil-A. That’s reciprocity at work!
Nine times out of ten, If we demonstrate love to another person, we’re going to get love in return. Doing what is best for another person, whatever it takes is the key to transforming all our relationships. And having good relationships is really, in the end, the key to a fulfilling life.
Robert Waldinger - director of a longitudinal study that began at Harvard University back in 1938...80yrs.. They followed over 700 young adults from Harvard and from other parts of the Boston area. One goal was to research what factors contribute the most to happiness and satisfaction in life. The results were conclusive and profoundly important. Perhaps it is not a surprise that satisfaction in life does not come from the usual suspects: wealth and possessions, achievements, position or fame. Dr. Waldinger presented their conclusions in a TED talk I heard a year or so ago. They were as follows: 1.) Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Loneliness is a killer. 2.) The quality of your close relationships is most important. 3.) Good relationships protect our brains and our mental health.
The good life is built with good relationships. That is the summary conclusion. And of course, those good relationships are built with love. He closes with these words of Mark Twain - Quote: There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickering, apologies, heart-burnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving and but an instant, so to speak, for that. End Quote
Notes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/carey-nieuwhof-leadership-podcastlead-like-never- before/id912753163?i=1000452120214 https://www.ted.com/talks robert_waldinger_what_makes_a_good_life_lessons_from_the_longest_ study_on_happiness? language=en