It takes hours to go through
my keepsake stash and I don’t have the time to do so more than once a year.
I’ve saved Valentines, personalized cards and letters, bibs from the first road
races I ran, ticket stubs, formal invitations, playbills, my ID badge from when
I volunteered at the state mental hospital for an Abnormal Psychology class, notes
sent on frou-frou stationery from individuals who drafted statements like “I’ll
always be there for you” mere months before they were nowhere to be found when they
were needed the most.
The best recent addition to
the collection comes from a co-worker who filled his Christmas card’s entire left-hand
side with a series of beautiful handwritten sentences. When someone has had a
uniquely positive impact on you, it doesn’t require much to make this person
aware of it. The last time I saw my childhood dentist I basically relayed that I
place him in the top tier of the most honorable human beings I’ve ever
known. He, who might not hear explicitly heartfelt praise very often, looked ready
to cry. If I have regular contact with people whose character, caliber, or
contributions are above average in any way, I’ll tell them - and there’s usually
that similar element of choked-up surprise on their end. They don't necessarily
need the validation to continue on as themselves, but the immeasurable extra incentives
that come with it stretch deep and far.
It's wonderful that you can surround yourself with positive inspiring people. Unfortunately, I often find that the moment I praise someone, they end up disappointing me. Almost as if the praise itself is a catalyst for their negative behaviour. So instead, I practice not to expect anything and just let people be who they are. They often surprise me - in a good way.
ReplyDeleteRecently I was at my favorite supermarket and I recognized a young lady that has a super+ personality and is very efficient. She was given a new job, that one of making cooking demonstration. I stopped by to say hello and to congratulate her on her new job and told her that I knew she was going to do very well wherever she was placed, because of her efficiency and sunny disposition to help everyone. She was speechless and tears came down her face as she told me that I will never know what those words meant to her. I left her very happy cooking her chicken with parmesan.You are absolutely right...it feels fabulous to put some sunshine into someone's day.
ReplyDeleteThe kind of comment you made to your dentist really makes a big difference in a person's life. Very considerate and meaningful.
ReplyDelete