If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it over them! I love this quote from Ruthie Lindsey.
Yesterday my daughter called me to tell me she was proud of me and that I was doing an amazing job with my new endeavors. If you have adult kids you know most of the time they call for advice or help with something. Nothing wrong with that at all, and I am glad they still “need” me, but her call caught me off guard and caused a few tears to well up. Those simple words were just the affirmation I needed! It got me thinking about how often we see many admirable traits in the people around us. Are we comfortable speaking up and acknowledging these traits?
Her simple words made me notice something wonderful has been happening around me despite the sense of chaos in the world. People have been outwardly blessing each other with kind words and acts. I have seen it so much more often in recent weeks. I wonder if it because we all instinctively know the world needs more kindness and joy? Is it because recent events have given us time to take stock of our relationships? Are we more appreciative of others because of the months of quarantine?
My husband liked to joke in the early days of the pandemic that there was going to be an uptick in two things - babies and divorce. One extreme or the other. In some ways he was right. There has been great separation and the ending of many relationships, sadly, even among family. But on the flip side there have been new friendships and communities forming, both locally and through social media. We are more likely to find our tribe right now. Division is not from God, but like all things, He can use it for good. He can bring people together that need each other in this now moment. We can find our people and hold them close.
Loneliness and the interruption of relationships was part of life the past year and a half. Most of us had some lonely moments. Lonely can be felt in so many ways, home alone with kids, for instance, can be very lonely. So many moms walked that path while trying to home-school! Lonely because we don’t see our co-workers in person, or went for months without hugging our parents or grandparents. If something good came from the loneliness, I hope it is a new appreciation for others and the beauty and love they bring to our lives.
People need each other, we need to see their smiles and receive their kind words. We need to smile and speak kind words - often!
Personally I have felt so touched by old friends that reached out, dropped by to sit on the patio and talk, or share their garden bounty. So many friends have graciously supported my new health coaching endeavor! I am so grateful for the support as I start a new chapter in life. Old high school friends have reached out to come to events or share my story with others, a friend from church opened her home so I could teach a cooking class, and so many have been helping me spread the word about my healing story and coaching service. I am so grateful and so amazed by each instance, the little things that fill our lives with love! It has made me look for more ways that I can bless others, lift their spirits, or support them in some way.
So if you see something beautiful in someone, speak it over them! It just might change their life, it will certainly brighten their day!
Much Love,
Carol