Ordinary People Who Are Extraordinary
Acknowledging those make a difference is not something we always remember these days, I think mostly because our lives are so full that when it does get to the end of the day we haven’t completed everything on our ever growing “To Do Lists” and it’s become too late to in the day to make that acknowledgement.
There is a commercial that came on at Christmas time this last year, it is a mother and her son wrapping little thank-you gifts, she gives some to her son to give out to whomever he chooses. She is giving her son a GREAT gift by teaching him the beauty of appreciation and gratitude and the true spirit of Christmas. The gifts are not extravagant (a small box of chocolates and bag of candy, etc), but thought (no matter what the gift) is still thought, and that in itself is significant. He gives these gifts to the people you wouldn’t expect (not because they didn’t deserve it but because I think it is the Universe’s way of providing us all with a reminder not to overlook anyone), which given how busy most of are within our lives, makes sense. He gave one to the man who cleans the ice at his local rink, one to the man who delivers the mail, I wish I could remember the rest of the people he gives them to but I think you get the idea.
Of all the commercials I’ve seen, this one had a really great message to share and looking at life from that little boy’s perspective was a reminder well served for me.
I’ve experienced both sides of this action, I’ve been the one acknowledging someone’s contribution because it has inspired me and have also had someone acknowledge mine. There is a benefit to both sides but sometimes I’ve felt like I’m the one who has benefitted more from acknowledging another person because the “state of gratitude” can feel intoxicating and if you are a sensitive person (which I am), then you may also feel the other person’s emotion as well, so it’s doubly intoxicating and kind of addictive.
I think that all of us enjoy being acknowledged and/or appreciated and even the simplest action can sometimes change a persons’ entire day. Depending on the action it can possibly propel them into a direction that changes their entire outlook or life.
For those that want to create good karma in their lives, this is one of those ways that you create it but the intention MUST be pure. You cannot be doing good deeds with the intention of creating good karma for yourself, it has to be good deeds with the intention of making another person’s life a little bit better, it’s those unintentional good deeds that lead to GREAT karma.
It’s important to honor, appreciate and have gratitude for the people in our lives that make a difference, no matter how big that difference is “every contribution counts”. Sometimes it’s the little moments when nothing monumental is happening that have the most profound effects.
The one person that inspires me the absolute most is my daughter, she’s 14 today. Happy Birthday Felicity!
Next time someone you cross paths with inspires you, let them know.
Shelley Hallmark 