It was most likely just a random chain of images; an unconscious game of thought association; I’m really not sure. Somehow, I remembered something from back in 1994.
It was the evening before I was to have surgery to repair a deviated septum that had bothered me for years. My schnozolla would finally be fixed and breathing would be easier (unfortunately, it was botched and made even worse but, whatevah!). I was a nervous wreck (insert clucking chicken sound here). 🙂 Never big on operations and, having had a bad experience from a previous one, I was feeling very stressed.
Suddenly, I received a phone call from a friend. Though a great guy and a person for whom I had a lot of respect, he wasn’t someone with whom I spoke often. He had apparently, through the grape vine, heard about my upcoming surgery and had called to wish me luck.
“Jes’ wanted to let you know we’re thinking of you and praying for you” he said.
Wow — that was cool. I really appreciated that. I was still nervous about the operation. I was still scared. But, you know…it sure was nice to know that someone — especially someone I didn’t know that well — would think enough to call and let me know he was rooting for me.
And, funny; I remember that 17 years later.
You never know what small action you take that could really touch someone. The funny thing is, we probably think about doing these kinds of things quite often but usually don’t take the action necessary to make it happen. I certainly don’t as much as I could.
What kind, encouraging thought might you have that you could turn into action today, and perhaps really give someone a lift? Even if they don’t remember it 17 years from now, or even the next day, it doesn’t matter.
It’s the thou…err, the action that counts.
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I enjoyed this article. It goes with the saying from Nike, “Just Do It.” This morning I acted on a thought and sent a message to someone on Facebook saying that I liked her new logo. Whenever we can smile or pick up the telephone (seems to be a lost art today) to let someone know that they are thought about, not only will it open their heart, it will also open your heart.
Awesome, Carol. Thanks for doing that great deed. I’m sure that meant a LOT to them!
You are 10 kinds of AWESOME, Bob.
So true! And what a great way to start Monday morning….remembering some of those kindnesses and plotting a few of my own. You’re the best.
Thank you, Andrea. And, your kind words really touched *me.* Thank you, my friend!
Yes Bob! I agree with you. Little things means a lot as a japanese saying that “one word of kindness can keep three months of winter warm”. Secondly there is no life without gratitude.
Thank you, Sharmeen. That’s such an awesome saying, isn’t it?!?!
It’s like our minds are continually flowing with these potential acts of love and kindness. I remember when my Rabbi paused in the middle of our class and shared with us that he had wanted to give a certain student a call the night before (I new this student was going through difficult times). He said, “You see, the thought enters your mind and you have to act on it immediately. We have to be more mindful of these things or it just goes — you lose out on the opportunity.” When we have a fleeting thought about someone we’re close to or even a memory about a person we haven’t seen in a while, we can write them a note, give them a call, send them an email or even try and reconnect with them on Facebook. We never know what kind of impact it will have on them (or on us for that matter). Thanks Bob for the reminder!
Toda raba, R. Shimshon. Very much appreciate your sharing the message from your Rav!
Uh uh……YOU are! 😉
Thank you for the great timing Bob. I have been thinking about this topic in recent weeks a lot and I read this in this incredible book “HOPE From My Heart Ten Lessons For Life” by Rich Devos where he said,
“Think of all the people with whom you come into regular contact – family, friends, customers, clients, colleagues. They all touch your life in some unique or special way. How many of these people know that you respect them for what they do and who they are? You may admire them, but have you said so? Tell them. Show them. Give them the respect they deserve. Make your respect for them tangible. It’s what makes the world go around.”
Thank you for sharing on similar lines. I am sure your story will inspire one more person somewhere.
Regards,
Snigdha
Thank you, Snigdha. I appreciate your sharing that great lesson from Mr. DeVos. He’s one of life’s great people, isn’t he?
Wonderful post, Bob! You are absolutely right, it is the small things that make a really big difference. The message from your friend was very simple but it was the message behind the message. He contacted you to support/uplift, not wanting anything from you and being genuinely sincere and authentic. Hey, that can calm anyone’s nerves : ) Thanks for the special story and keep up the terrific work, my friend!
I love how you practice what you preach. I’m remembering the support from you and your father last year when our son was ill. Fine words in this post, my friend, and a fine example in real life. Thanks.
Bob-
In this post you have done a great job of sending out a message of the greatest importance, both to our own happiness and to those with whom we come into contact: appreciate each other, let the other know that you value him/her – do not withhold any comment that might encourage another – do not give in to the stifling habit of silence –
but what makes this post stand out is the way you convey the message – there is an everyday (well, not EVERY day) sense of the specific moment here…it is dramatized..you do that very well in your books…
Wayne
Once upon a time, (last month) I was tweeting with a friend and I tweeted that I was at the ER, for my heart, and that I had driven myself there and was alone. He had me call him and he stayed on the phone with me through EKG, exrays, IV’s etc. A sweet distraction from someone I love very much, will never be forgotten. Those sweet memories stick with me. 🙂
My apologies for the delayed response to the last few comments. I’m just back in town and catching up with everything (which, these days, includes, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, emails and – I seem to remember something we used to call … the telephone. 🙂
Chi Chi, thank you. Great summation of exactly what my friend did. Shows that the big things really do mean a lot. Thank you!
Wally, thank you, my friend. Your words mean a LOT to me!
Wayne, can’t thank you enough. I greatly appreciate that!
Amy, who was that masked man! LOL
I hear he looks like Captain America under his suit. (he got a trainer a few months ago.) 🙂
Hi Bob,
Awesome instant of how a seemingly tiny act can become indelibly etched on your mind.
We never know how what we do impacts others, especially when it’s someone we might not know as well. These people make just as great an impacts because we aren’t expecting to hear from them, and when we do, it feels so nice to know that these folks care enough to wish us the best. Call it a lesson in humanity, thoughtfulness and kindness.
Thanks for sharing some super tasty food for thought Bob, I will keep this one in mind going forward!
RB
Thank you, Ryan. We never do know, do we? And, you’re right, that it is unexpected adds even more to the impact! Thank you for sharing with us!
Lovely touching post Bob. Tnx 🙂
Made me think back to a quote which always inspires me. I’d like to share it with you:
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” (Leo Buscaglia)
And my all time favourite:
“It’s not the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away”
Life’s moments – http://budurl.com/lifesmoments
Warmest as ever
Chrissie
The Entrepreneur Lawyer
(of the naked kind)
PS: Glad the Op was ok and you survived to write another day!
Thank you, Chrissie, those are great quotes, indeed. Thank you for sharing with us!
It encourages me to encourage. Thanks.
Thank YOU, Pastor Tom. You’re one of the most encouraging people I know!
One day I noticed how often my coworkers said nice things about others, but not in their presence! Maybe they were shy, I don’t know, but I decided to be their messenger. When I saw the person complimented I’d say, ‘Guess what (blank) said about you?” It was wonderful to see how much it meant to the person. If you think something nice about someone, please tell them. It may be just what they needed to hear. Be the messenger.
Kim, that’s awesome. I call that “Reverse Gossip.” Keep up the great work!
Bob – Reverse Gossip! I love it.
🙂 Thank you, Kim. Here is a blog post I did on this a while back. I hope you enjoy it. http://bit.ly/bxRv0Q
Bob, wow – what a clever way to manage positivity in the workplace! I absolutely love it. Sometimes I think I can’t change how anyone thinks or feels, but this show how you can. It’s all about what we chose to focus on isn’t it? This reminds of The Four Agreements and remembering the power of our words and the impact they have. Thank you so much!
Hi Kim. Thank you. So glad you enjoyed that. And, yes, “The Four Agreements” is one of my all-time favorites!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for connecting with NuClear Women! The City Partnership team has been building and we really are attracting like minded people. I am grateful for this opportunity. It has truly been a God send for it gave me to have structure to follow(Kathy&Carrie) plus the laws from the Go-Giver. Anyone who has had to reinvent themselves this past year or ever should be so blessed! Thank you, truly transformational! Peg
PS I am a fan of “Good Gossip” too.
Thank you, Peg. Honored to have you as one of our city partners and I know that Kathy and Carrie are enjoying working with you. I’m looking forward to our event in Gettysburg. Regarding your P.S. If I may respectfully suggest that “reverse gossip” is not the same as “good gossip.” Because gossip is – in and of itself – completely negative, there can be no such things as good gossip. If you “reverse” the concept of gossip (“Reverse Gossip”), what you are then getting is good/kind words and it’s no longer actually gossip. 🙂 (Of course, me and my definitions, right?) 😉