To that caller on your telephone, your words may be the ones that get them through the day. To that little girl on your team, you may be the inspiration of a lifetime. To that patient in your waiting room, your actions may be the difference between life and death.
To that clerk on the other side of the counter, your smile might make her day. To the student whose parents are always fighting, your assurance may be all the comfort he desperately needs. To the neighbor who struggles with loneliness, your stopping by to say hello might make all the difference in the world.
Make every moment count. Not just for your benefit, but also for someone else.
You make a difference. Sometimes it’s in the big things. But more often than not, it’s in the little things.
A kind word. A loving touch. A moment that lets someone else know they matter.
We live in a world of glitz and glamour. It seems the goal is to be known by more people, to be wealthier than all others, or to be smarter and more enlightened than everyone else.
But our most noble accomplishments, I believe, are the anonymous and simple acts of respect shown to the people that are put in our paths.
To that child who struggles with confidence, your words of praise will lift his spirits. To that parent who wonders whether she can do anything right, your compliment can make her whole day brighter. To that nurse or caregiver who’s worn out from serving others, your appreciation will keep her going another day.
All this power lies within you.
I love the words James Garner says at the beginning of the movie “The Notebook.” He plays Noah, who has been married to his sweetheart of 50 years, Allie, and he remains true to her even though dementia prevents her from even knowing who he is.
He says, "I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough."
Tell me, is that an act of unselfish devotion or what?
Allie appreciated the companionship. Noah made time to offer it.
Helen Keller authored these words: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
Then there’s this quote from the Book of Luke, 14:11: “…If you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
There’s an old story about a guy walking along a beach, picking up starfish and one-by-one, little-by-little, throwing them back. There were thousands on the beach.
A friend came along. “Why are you wasting your time? You know you’ll never be able to throw all of them back into the ocean?”
The man picked up another one and threw it back into the water.
“Made a difference in that one, though.”
To that elderly person who struggles with a walker, your act of opening the door for him may give him encouragement. To that overweight person who struggles with self-esteem, your comment about her fine character may prompt a new way of living. To that puppy who sits at your feet, your attention means everything in the world.
Maybe you’re wondering what you can do today to feel better and feel a sense of purpose.
The suggestion here is to do something that doesn’t cost a thing.
Be a blessing to someone. Then watch what happens.
In them. And in you.
To that clerk on the other side of the counter, your smile might make her day. To the student whose parents are always fighting, your assurance may be all the comfort he desperately needs. To the neighbor who struggles with loneliness, your stopping by to say hello might make all the difference in the world.
Make every moment count. Not just for your benefit, but also for someone else.
You make a difference. Sometimes it’s in the big things. But more often than not, it’s in the little things.
A kind word. A loving touch. A moment that lets someone else know they matter.
We live in a world of glitz and glamour. It seems the goal is to be known by more people, to be wealthier than all others, or to be smarter and more enlightened than everyone else.
But our most noble accomplishments, I believe, are the anonymous and simple acts of respect shown to the people that are put in our paths.
To that child who struggles with confidence, your words of praise will lift his spirits. To that parent who wonders whether she can do anything right, your compliment can make her whole day brighter. To that nurse or caregiver who’s worn out from serving others, your appreciation will keep her going another day.
All this power lies within you.
I love the words James Garner says at the beginning of the movie “The Notebook.” He plays Noah, who has been married to his sweetheart of 50 years, Allie, and he remains true to her even though dementia prevents her from even knowing who he is.
He says, "I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough."
Tell me, is that an act of unselfish devotion or what?
Allie appreciated the companionship. Noah made time to offer it.
Helen Keller authored these words: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
Then there’s this quote from the Book of Luke, 14:11: “…If you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
There’s an old story about a guy walking along a beach, picking up starfish and one-by-one, little-by-little, throwing them back. There were thousands on the beach.
A friend came along. “Why are you wasting your time? You know you’ll never be able to throw all of them back into the ocean?”
The man picked up another one and threw it back into the water.
“Made a difference in that one, though.”
To that elderly person who struggles with a walker, your act of opening the door for him may give him encouragement. To that overweight person who struggles with self-esteem, your comment about her fine character may prompt a new way of living. To that puppy who sits at your feet, your attention means everything in the world.
Maybe you’re wondering what you can do today to feel better and feel a sense of purpose.
The suggestion here is to do something that doesn’t cost a thing.
Be a blessing to someone. Then watch what happens.
In them. And in you.
