I'm frustrated.... yes, I know that it's just the time we are living in and we have to get through it as we go through it but I'm tired...
Are you tired of: Lock Downs? Ever changing directives? Missing family and friends because Zoom and distance connections is waning thin? Not being there for those who are suffering in some way shape or form?
I suppose we are in a big club together because for many of us, that's where we are at the moment. And what happens when the frustrations build is that we begin to lose some of the hope that we so desperately need anytime really but especially now in these uncertain times.
Life begins to weigh on us and yet there are some things we can do to help us take the focus off self when the moments come.
I don't know about you but sometimes, I just need to focus on one thing when I seem to be falling into a rut so, this Forward Friday's post inspiration is courtesy of my friend @BrendaPagano's kindness who is one of the best!!!!
Let's Get Into This!
Easter Monday was a beautiful day for a drive and drive we did! We drove down to Brockville, got some great brunch food at @SunsetGrill, ate down by the waterfront and then headed eastward along the St. Lawrence to a little place called Lancaster...
What's so great about Lancaster? Besides the country feel, some of the best gas prices in the area.
So we pulled into the Esso station and after filling up, Kelly, who is a coffee addict wanted a dark roast at the McDonald's connected to the gas station.
Why do people like coffee? I'll stop!
As I was walking up to go inside, there was a young man sitting on the steps of the station and it was clear that his life has not been easy.
I asked him if he was thirsty and he said yes. Found out what he liked and went inside and that his name was Ron.
I had to come back out and go in through another door to get to McD's and as I was about to pass Ron again, I asked him if he was hungry and Ron said that he hadn't eaten much lately.
I went inside and ordered. In the middle of the order, I asked the manager to put the trio in a separate bag for the gentleman outside.
Her response was that it was so kind to do that for him and it was evident that they knew him, small town and all.
What happened next was interesting; as the manager was punching in the numbers on the cash, the total kept going down. Finally, it landed at .74 cents.
I asked if she was sure she had the right amount to which she said, "If you can do a kindness for that man, the least I can do is show you a kindness!"
"If you can do a kindness for that man, the least I can do is show you a kindness!"
Totally caught me off guard but in that moment, I was thankful not because I deserved the break money wise but that because of showing a kindness to a man I didn't know who was in need of something more substantial than a good luck wave, an acknowledgement from someone who didn't know me warmed my heart.
It is amazing how we can view life a little differently when we can even for a moment take our eyes off us and see what a small kindness can do for our fellow man/woman.
It does make us feel good inside to see someone smile or be encouraged.
I know it's hard sometimes when we are up against whatever battle, mountain, problem, issue it is that we face but if we can once in a while see if there is some little thing we can do to help someone else, however that may look, it can have a positive effect on us.
Even though I would have been happy to pay for all that I bought that afternoon, that manager's actions warmed my heart and encouraged me!
So Brenda......
In my capacity working in our 12 Alternative Outreach School Network, I am privileged to work with many gifted, fun, incredible colleagues.
We needed a secretary for 2 of our schools and in February, Brenda came aboard and what a breath of fresh air she's been for these 2 schools.
Smart, quick to learn, warm hearted and although not at all funny, Brenda has been an awesome edition to these 2 schools.
So, many times during the course of any given year, we will bring in treats as a way of saying thanks for all the hard work that our staffs do.
This past week on Tuesday morning, Brenda kept calling to check to see if I was still coming in to their school that day.
When I arrived on the floor, Brenda wanted me to come to the office to check something out.
When I turned into her office, there she was with some of the most decadent cookies I've ever seen!
Now the calories were not completely appreciated, hence we had a hard workout late in the day but it was the thought of thinking of me that was priceless.
What Brenda didn't know was that I had a rough night into the morning so when I saw that she thought of surprising me, it was the thought to consider me that again warmed my heart.
So, is there something we all can do in regards to these stories?
It's not about money; my bill would have been $13 at McD's....
The cookies didn't break Brenda's bank or so I hope.....
Little things matter and many times when we do little things for others, it takes the spotlight off ourselves, even for a few minutes to brighten, lift up, encourage someone's day.
I'm not a fan of some sayings and sometimes, ones like "Paying It Forward" have been said so much, it tends to feel a little bit tired but..... It's true that kindnesses to and for others are really not bought, they are deeds done!
Maybe it's that phone call, the cookies made and delivered, the coffee meet up, the letter or email to say hey, the birthday wish......
There are so many ways we can help others and in turn be helping ourselves.
I know that when I turn the camera off me and focus on others, it does really make a difference.
And Life Is About Reciprocating..
I know that my brother and I are still the recipients of the kindnesses my parents showed to others throughout their lifetime and maybe it's hard not to want to show a kindness when we had 2 champions showing us the way all of their lives.
But the good news is, we all have the ability to do something to show another person a kindness.
Here's Some Good Medicine To Head Into The Weekend With..
The Bible has some thoughts about this subject.
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it.
Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
The Law of Sowing And Reaping
People like to say karma but long before the word karma showed up, there was and still is the law of sowing and reaping.
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant or in other words, we will always reap what we've sown....
Dad would always say that you can't plant apple seeds in the hopes of growing an orange grove and in the same way, thinking of someone else and doing something however small it may appear to be when done with the right motives can change our outlook many times...
Dad would always say that you can't plant apple seeds in the hopes of growing an orange grove...
And..... surprisingly enough, because life is reciprocal, those moments come back to us in some way, shape or form, many times when we need it the most.
So thank you Brenda for reminding me how Blessed it is to give than receive yet because there is balance, the moments of blessing do come back our way!
Put into practice something, anything big or small (small, many times is the most amazing) this weekend and see how it could lift the one we are blessing up and also do something good for us too!!
There’s no wasted energy when a kindness helps someone else in a positive way.
Walking the moments with you!!
Dave
#WhenHelpingOthersHelpsUsInReturn #CovidSelfCare2 #ForwardFriday #Speaker #Blog #showingkindness #positiveeffect #SowingAndReapingMatters #AppleTreesWillNotBeOrangeGroves #LifeIsReciprocal #KindnessBigAndSmall
Comments