Have you told someone you loved them lately? Called them up to tell them how much they mean to you? How much they add to your life just by being in it? Have you? You should try it...a little appreciation goes a long way.
I make it a point to tell people how much they mean to me as often as I can. I tell my friends I love them before I hang up (that gets kinda messy when you first start dating someone -- haha), I notice the little things (or at least try) and try to make the people in my life feel like they matter -- because they do.
It's a gift given to me by both my parents. My dad always told stories at the dinner table about these long conversations he had had with the janitor in the building that day. He always said how he made a point to know everyone in his building (he's a doctor) and treat them with the respect they deserve. He always took time out for "the little people" so to speak. And I've taken that to heart...there's no person that's too small to slip through my "friend net". My mom on the other hand, has a heart the size of Texas. When she loves you, you know it. She's affectionate, caring and would give someone the shirt off her back if it would make their day better. And with their powers combined (haha...sounds like Captain Planet!) it makes for a kid with a pretty good head on their shoulders.
I'm a pretty open book. I care to all ends of the Earth. In fact, I'd say my affection and compassion for other people can, at times, be to my own demise.
(There's a point to all this, I promise!)
My paternal grandfather died before I had a chance to say good bye. I was working in Montana at the time, and while I knew his time was coming, there was no way to know for sure when it would be, and my bereavement leave wasn't very forgiving.
I missed the chance to say good bye. I missed the chance to tell him that I loved him. I missed the opportunity to hug him. The next time I saw him was at his funeral. I burst into tears instantly.
After that moment, I told myself that would never happen again. That people would know what they meant to me. If they made my heart smile, they'd know. If I loved how their nose crinkled when they laughed, I'd tell them. If they made my day, or my hour, or my minute, I make sure they know. It's important. Not just to feel loved, but to know you're loved. Not to feel special - but to know you are. And not just to feel appreciated but to truly believe it to be so.
It's what makes the world turn.
I try to do it in my every day life, but apparently I don't do it enough. Because as I write these posts (and feature certain people in them), I'm getting feedback that isn't only appreciative, but genuinely surprised.
I made their day, by letting them know that they made mine.
These are some small notes (written by a small author) that are making a BIG difference.
And I'm entirely thankful that they're having such a positive impact :)
I make it a point to tell people how much they mean to me as often as I can. I tell my friends I love them before I hang up (that gets kinda messy when you first start dating someone -- haha), I notice the little things (or at least try) and try to make the people in my life feel like they matter -- because they do.
It's a gift given to me by both my parents. My dad always told stories at the dinner table about these long conversations he had had with the janitor in the building that day. He always said how he made a point to know everyone in his building (he's a doctor) and treat them with the respect they deserve. He always took time out for "the little people" so to speak. And I've taken that to heart...there's no person that's too small to slip through my "friend net". My mom on the other hand, has a heart the size of Texas. When she loves you, you know it. She's affectionate, caring and would give someone the shirt off her back if it would make their day better. And with their powers combined (haha...sounds like Captain Planet!) it makes for a kid with a pretty good head on their shoulders.
I'm a pretty open book. I care to all ends of the Earth. In fact, I'd say my affection and compassion for other people can, at times, be to my own demise.
(There's a point to all this, I promise!)
My paternal grandfather died before I had a chance to say good bye. I was working in Montana at the time, and while I knew his time was coming, there was no way to know for sure when it would be, and my bereavement leave wasn't very forgiving.
I missed the chance to say good bye. I missed the chance to tell him that I loved him. I missed the opportunity to hug him. The next time I saw him was at his funeral. I burst into tears instantly.
After that moment, I told myself that would never happen again. That people would know what they meant to me. If they made my heart smile, they'd know. If I loved how their nose crinkled when they laughed, I'd tell them. If they made my day, or my hour, or my minute, I make sure they know. It's important. Not just to feel loved, but to know you're loved. Not to feel special - but to know you are. And not just to feel appreciated but to truly believe it to be so.
It's what makes the world turn.
I try to do it in my every day life, but apparently I don't do it enough. Because as I write these posts (and feature certain people in them), I'm getting feedback that isn't only appreciative, but genuinely surprised.
I made their day, by letting them know that they made mine.
These are some small notes (written by a small author) that are making a BIG difference.
And I'm entirely thankful that they're having such a positive impact :)
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