Be Kind First

Happy February!

Wow! I didn't think January would ever end.

It is hard to even type those words because I never want to wish my life away but January was a long hard month. However, even during those long, hard 31 days, good things were happening.

Over the last few weeks, I have been reflecting on myself and the example I am setting for others. Even when we don't want to be, or even try to be, we are an impact on others. How we live our lives, good or bad, impacts those around us. We affect so many people, sometimes unknowingly. We affect our families, our neighbors, our coworkers, even strangers who innocently wander into our path.

What am I reflecting?

I would like to think I am impacting others in a positive way on my good days. On the other hand, I would like to think my bad days have no impact at all -- but, of course, it doesn't work that way. Everything we do or say impacts someone else.

A few weeks ago, a dear, sweet friend, who I just met this year, sent me the following story in a private message. 

It just happened to arrive on my sister's birthday. I was having a particularly hard time with that day because it was her first birthday since she had gone to be with God. I miss her terribly and was struggling to get myself together for work.

My phone pinged at 5:48am.  I had already been up an hour. I picked up my phone assuming it was a work message and found something wonderful. The message said something along these lines ...

"I read this and immediately pictured you saying this. We haven't known each other long but the way you share meaningful stories in such a funny way always keep those messages crossing my mind later."

This was the story which made someone else think of me:

"A woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. 

She asked her Pastor to come to her home to discuss her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral, and what scriptures she wanted read, and which outfit she wanted to be buried in. 

Then she said, "One more thing... I want to be buried with a fork in my hand." 

The woman explained, "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably say to everyone, 'Keep your fork.' 

It was my favorite time of the dinner, because I knew something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake, or deep dish apple pie- something wonderful. 

So, I want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and wonder, "What's with the fork?" 

Then, I want you to tell them, "Keep your fork, because the best is yet to come." 

This story is attributed to Roger William Thomas (1996, A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul)."

When I read this message and then the story she included, I fell to pieces crying. It was just what I need to read that day. I miss my sister immensely but she has gone on to something even better. It reminded me the "best is yet to come."

However, as I have been thinking about how she thought I had made an impact on her, I realized how much she had made an impact on me. She helped heal my soul that day so I could go out into the world and spread some happiness and joy on what could have been a bad day for me.

We all impact others. Those interactions are what keeps all of us striving and working towards something better. The best is yet to come.

This week someone else sent me this quote:

"You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. 

You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them. 

You never know how much your kindness turned someone else's life around. 

You never know how much someone needed that long hug or deep talk.

So, don't wait to be kind.

Don't wait for someone else to be kind first.

Don't wait for better circumstances or for someone to change.

Just be kind, because you never know how much someone needs it."

As I enter this new month, I want to have the mindset of impacting someone else for the good.  I hope to show kindness in all of my interactions. I hope I can have a positive impact on someone else.

- Keep your fork.

- Make a positive impact.

- Be kind first!

Love, 

Jan 💖