When Little Things Really Are Big

Last month I opened my locker and I found this terrific surprise to greet me.

It was a "Hi" message; a simple gesture that could be categorized under "small", yet it was huge in the "big" scheme of things.

It was an act of kindness which took thought, effort and sharing.  Someone had taken time to think of me, and generously shared a coveted, delectable, sustenance.

It was a "Hi-gh" point each time I opened my locker or unwrapped one of those morsels.
It made me more high than the chocolate drug itself as my heart was touched by the affection shown me through this simple but profound act.

Never, ever underestimate the "little" acts of goodness you show to another, for you may never fully know the depth of how really "big" they are!


 

Beauty And The Beast

We were working on her homework when she just got up from the bed and walked away.
I waited a minute and looked up to see where she went and saw that she had taken one of the three red roses she had in a vase by her bed and started cutting the stem pretty short.  (Where do these spontaneously sporadic actions come from?!")   We were working on a math worksheet!

(These were the ones in another part of the house.)

I, in my best, jump-to-conclusions-and overreact-any-chance-you-get-mothering-Beast-self (that I am ashamed to say dominated my parenting) said, "I don't know if you want to cut that off because if it's too short it can't get any water and will die."  (That was a useless thing to say because it was already cut by then.) (The disturbing part is I was at a nanny job and still was acting in my old role without hesitation or thought!)

She, in her stellar, I-am-just-going-to-ignore-what-you-just-said-Beauty-self said, "Here, Ms. Reyna, this is for you!", as she handed me a tiny vase filled with water, one red rose, some Baby's breath and a leaf (I know it has some official name... and probably isn't a leaf at all but stay focused).  (What child has a perfect size 3 1/2 inch glass vase right there in their bedroom?)

BEAST: I am worried that she's going to "ruin" the flowers and they will be wasted and unable to be enjoyed.  And they are expensive, beautiful red roses!  Who gets those very often? so we need to "preserve" them.  Cutting them up is not a very good idea! 


BEAUTY:  These are beautiful and should be shared with people whom I care about!  Here, I will just stop in the middle of doing the trivial, mundane stuff (such as homework), not worry about if its logical or a perfect presentation or that I will have less, and just go act on this good feeling I have right now.  See, wasn't that easy?  And look how happy it made her!!

This Beast can sure learn a lot from Beauty here.  
Maybe if I didn't worry so much about "stuff" and looked beyond material things, I would act more often on the pure motivation; of sharing kindness and love, thus not getting so caught up, that I miss the moment completely.


How beautiful a day can be
When kindness touches it!
~George Elliston


Flowers whisper "Beauty!" to the world, even as they fade, wilt, fall.  ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com   

Now I Really AM Sure

Do you ever think you are going to do something (at least in your mind) and then when the chance arises it does not play out how you had envisioned?

Well that happened to me a couple weeks ago.

Remember when I said, "Don't Be So Sure"? 
I quote myself as saying then, " I wish I could say a sincere thank you to this man for doing what he did and all that it taught."

Well, I guess for me anyway, writing something and actually following through with my written intentions are not the same thing.  

This man came into my place of work again and I did not do what I had vowed I would, given the chance.
I don't know why.
For one thing it wasn't my table.
Another excuse was because the timing wasn't "right".
But mostly it was probably because I really wasn't sure what I was going to say & how I was going to start it.
"Um, by the way, I was glad you didn't hate me or at least show me you did.  Thanks."

After he left I had sentiment of unresolved remorse, feeling like a hypocrite telling you all that I would do this, but not following through when I had the chance.

I re-vowed that day that I would not again let the opportunity pass if it arose once more.
Well, today was the day.
It started out the same.
Not my table.
Not sure what to say.
But what was different today is I told the girl I was working with (a different one from the original encounter) that I needed to say something to one of her customers.

Enter Mr. Excuse and his buddies, imposing thoughts of embarrassment to all 3 of us (the man was with a friend again) and ideas that it might ruin his appetite and moment of conversation, so I retracted.
But my young co-worker (oh naivete) did not forget and inquired whether I had had a chance to talk to him yet.

So Procrastination being one of my non-birth-certificate-names waited until he was leaving.
Like, literally out-the-door-leaving when I chased him down.

I asked if he knew who I was.
Yes he did.
I said that I wanted to thank him for being kind and professional (or some awkward, not even making sense statement) and guess what?
He said he didn't think we should hold on to (negative) things like that.
I said I blogged about it (great line right, telling some estranged person you wrote about the thought that they might be a jerk?!) and I said I had really appreciated what he did.
And you know what?
He thanked me!
Yep, He. Thanked. Me.
Now I am sure he is a man traveling a higher road than I.

I want to say that I know all imagined and even hoped for second chances may not end up as positive as this one did for me. 
Nevertheless, I would encourage you to confront your situation if you feel a need.
Because even if he would have reacted in an opposing way, my heart would be at peace (after mourning) knowing I gave it an honest attempt.

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone."  ~G.B. Stern

Don't Throw The Guinea Pig

 ''Kindness is the greatest wisdom.''  ~Author Unknown
  

Although we have never had anyone even think of throwing the guinea pig, # 4 is my favorite 'kindness' rule the children came up with this year.

Last year my favorite 'kindness' rule was, "Wear your clothes when you go in the swimming pool."
I agreed.
The older you get, the more 'kind' it is to others to follow that rule!

''Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns.''  ~Author Unknown