A few months ago, I was watching television with a couple friends.
The volume was so low that I could only make out every fourth word or so. Despite that, we watched two or three episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Finally, my friend asked, “Can you turn it up? I can barely hear what they’re saying.”
My other friend obliged, turned the TV up several notches, and all was right in the universe.
I was struck. It was such a simple example of wanting something to happen without doing anything to make it happen.
What was lovely about it, though, was what it took. All someone had to do was ask. Then boom, they got everything they wanted and made life better for others as well.
It reminded me of the Bag of Donuts theory.
At a party, there’s an unopened bag of donuts. Everyone wants a donut, but no one wants to be the first person to make a move.
An hour goes by and the bag is still untouched. Then, one brave and rebellious individual pops the bag open and enjoys their tasty treat.
In the next 20 minutes, all the donuts are gone.
The Bag of Donuts theory tells us that plenty of people often want the same thing we do…they’re just waiting for someone else to initiate and “give them permission” to take part.
We can be that someone else.
It can feel scary (terrifying at times)…but we can ask to turn the TV up. We can ask for help. We can ask for whatever we want.
We can open that bag of donuts.