They Won't Know Unless You Tell Them!

One of my fitness heroines, Chalene Johnson, will often remind her followers on Twitter to tell their spouses and/or children how "awesome" they are because, "It takes 100 positives to counter 1 negative." This sentiment is certainly warranted and worth acting upon; nevertheless, I would like to increase it's scope. So many people participate in our day-to-day lives. Some contribute little; others play a much greater role. Unfortunately, we all often get caught up in the business of our lives that we are lucky to get out a "Thank you" when appropriate let alone more.

So let it be your mission this weekend to go the extra mile and let someone know how much they mean to you or what difference they make by being a part of your life. It could be something simple, such as, "You always know what to say to make me smile." Or, "Thank you so much for helping me with this. I could not have gotten it done as well without your help." Bottom line: they won't know unless you tell them. And, by doing so, not only will you enrich their lives but you will also enhance your own.

Certainly, it goes well for a person who encourages others. However, and furthermore, by acknowledging one's good deed or character, you further weave yourself into the positive fabric of mankind. Despite how cutthroat this world is and how highly competitive we all tend to be, in the end, we all need each other. Such a truth cannot be better demonstrated than in the events of this past week and in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

So, even though it will take mere seconds and may not seem like an act of great consequence, every affirmation helps. Perhaps by your small act, it will inspire another to do the same for someone else. A chain reaction could begin with you, and like ripples in a pool of water, it's impact may only continue to grow.

But again, such an effect won't begin unless you tell them. :)

I Am Only One, But I Am One.

I am forever indebted to a teacher I had in middle and high school, who was exceptional at making history interesting and inspiring greatness. When you were a student in one of her classes, she almost always insisted that you memorize Everett Hale's most notable quote:

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do.

This quote has stuck with me over the last almost 15 years, brought back to mind by various situations and circumstances. Recently, it played over in my head on a day when I felt like I just wanted to change the world for the better. Of course, when such thoughts enter one's mind, the reactionary thought process tends to be, "But I am only one person. What good can I really do?"

Well, I am here to tell you that you can make a difference (and such is the purpose of this blog) . Everyone has a sphere of influence - people that only they have access to, ones only they can effect for better or for worse. Each one of us has thousands of interactions daily. With each one, we have the power to make it grander in some way, do nothing extraordinary and keep it simply for what it is - a mere interaction,  or to bring negativity into it. It all boils down to the choices we make in those split seconds that often go by without even thinking, let alone a second thought!

Sure, in the end, "I am only one...but I am one," and as such I will only be able to do so much. But I do not want to miss out on those opportunities I am given to make a difference - no matter how small. I hope in the banter to follow that I will inspire you as well to make the most of the opportunities given to you.

Here goes....hopefully, something!