Think Small
Have you been dreaming about something you would like to do? Do you think it might never happen? Take some encouragement from writer Leigh McLeroy. Dream big. Act small. If you need a little kick in the pants, read her post here.
Like this:
Go ahead. Make a fuss!
photo by Pam Roberts
Guys, need a Valentine tip? If your girl says, “Don’t make a fuss!”—trust me—MAKE A FUSS! It’s simple, really. When you make a fuss to do something just to make her smile, you are telling her, “You are so worth this. You are worth my time. You are worth my effort.”
My friend Lela wrote on Facebook the other day “There’s nothing sexier than a man cleaning the kitchen!” She got 21 comments off that post.
Why? Pay attention, guys. It’s about noticing. (Hmmm. Maybe she’s tired.) And it’s about taking the trouble. (You relax! I’m cleaning the kitchen.) The point here is not about cleaning the kitchen for Valentine’s Day, though that might be a nice start. Just pay attention. What would make her smile? Whatever it is, go to the trouble. You don’t have to spend a mint, but you do have to spend a little time and effort. Take her for a sunset walk. Plan a surprise picnic. Take her for a bike ride. Get creative, for Pete’s sake!
In the end, maybe that’s a good definition of thoughtfulness for all of us: Stop thinking about yourself long enough to consider what might encourage another. And then go to the trouble. Admit it, it’s nice when someone troubles themselves to show you they love you.
Encouragement in a "New York Super Fudge Chunk" Minute
On Monday, I was at a Christmas party where I somehow ended up talking with my friend Jeanne about our first jobs. I laughed when I recalled my first job at Baskin Robbins where I quickly gained 10 lbs.!
“What was your favorite flavor?” she asked, awaiting my answer with the eager anticipation of a 10-year-old.
“Pralines and creme.”
“No way!” she said, “Me too!” We were fast becoming secret ice cream buddies. I had to admit, though, that I’d moved on from Baskin Robbins:
“As far as I’m concerned, there is no greater flavor this side of paradise than Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.”
“No way!” she said, “That’s my favorite too!” she gasped. We soon forgot everyone around us while we gushed about the rich, dense dark chocolate ice cream filled with dark and white chocolate gobs, as well as huge fat chunks of walnuts. Ah…divinity.
The next day, my husband and I received some long-dreaded disheartening news regarding a family matter. Jeanne called me later to just say she was thinking of us and if I wanted to get together for coffee, she was available. Later she called again, “I’d really like to stop by and give you something. Will you be home tomorrow?”
Today she showed up on my doorstep with a Christmas bag. Jeanne makes beautiful handmade jewelry, so I thought maybe she had brought me one of her creations. She insisted I open it right away. Inside were four pints of Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk Ice Cream. FOUR PINTS! Do you know what GOLD this is? This, my friends, is love.
Never underestimate the power of New York Super Fudge Chunk. More important–never underestimate the power of a thoughtful gesture, even a silly one, to bring encouragement. Jeanne didn’t help my waistline, but the fact that she took the time to go buy 4 pints of Ben and Jerry’s and bring it to me…well, how can you put a price on friendship like that?
© 2010 L. Kay Johnson, L is for LaNita. All rights reserved.
L. Kay Johnson
Having been raised in the South, I appreciate a good story, so that's what this blog is about. It's about life. It's about the things that make us human. It's about faith, and joy, and sorrow, and beauty, but it's also about the art of storytelling. I hope you will find a few here that resonate with you. I also hope you'll find ideas on how to share your own.
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