The history of the purple cord
A professor used to give a cord at the end of their studies
violet on which one could read “Who I am makes all the
difference” printed in gold letters.
He told each student on that occasion why he
appreciated him and why the class was different because of him.
One day, he gets the idea of studying the effect of this process on the
community, and sends its students to award cords to those
that they know and that “make the difference.”
He gives them three cords, asking them the following:
Put a purple cord on the person of your choice
stating why she makes a difference to you, and give her
two other cords so that she can put one back on herself and thus
immediately. Then give me a report on the results.
One of the students leaves and goes to hand it over to his boss
(since he was working part-time) a rather grumpy guy, but
he appreciated.
I admire you very much for everything you do,
To me, you are a true creative genius and a just man.
Would you mind if I pinned this purple cord to your jacket?
as a token of my gratitude?
The boss is surprised, but replies, “Well, um, yes, indeed.”
sure…
The boy continues, “And would you accept taking two more
purple cords to give to someone who does all the
difference for you, as I just did? It’s for a
survey we are conducting at the university.
Okay
And there's our man coming home in the evening, his cord
to the jacket. He says good evening to his 14-year-old son and tells him:
Something amazing happened to me today. One of my employees
gave me a purple cord on which it is written, you can see it,
"Who I am makes all the difference." He gave me another one.
to hand over to someone who means a lot to me.
The day was tough, but on my way back I told myself that there is
One person, just one, to whom I want to give it back.
You see, I often yell at you because you don't work
enough, that you think only about going out with your friends and that your
The room is a complete mess… but tonight I wanted to tell you
how important you are to me. You and your mother make up the whole
the difference in my life and I would like you to accept this cord
violet as a testament to my love. I don't tell you enough, but
You are a wonderful boy!"
He had barely finished when his son began to cry, cry,
her entire body shaken by sobs
His father takes him in his arms and says, "It's okay, it's okay…"
Did I say something that hurt you?
No, Daddy… but… sniff… I had decided to commit suicide
tomorrow. I had planned everything because I was sure that you
didn't like me despite all my efforts to please you.
Now everything has changed…
A child who is approved of learns to accept themselves.
Dorothy Nolte
A word spoken with kindness fosters trust.
A thought expressed with benevolence gives rise to depth.
A favor granted with kindness engenders love.
Lao Tzu
Happy reading
Marylena