"JUST ONE SEED IN A SMALL CRACK WITHOUT MUCH DIRT CAN A FLOWER GROW. JUST ONE FLOWER ANYWHERE CAN MAKE A SMILE APPEAR. JUST ONE SMILE CAN MAKE A DAY--HOW MANY OF THESE DO WE NEED? HOW ABOUT ONE A DAY THAT LASTS ALL DAY-- EVERYDAY?"
Jeff Johnson March 2008
A long time ago--not once upon a time, LOL, I attended an (Alcoholics Anonymous) AA meeting. A man sat down next to me and almost before he could say, "Howdy," another man occupied the seat next to him. The first man seated asked the second man, "How long have you been clean"(not drinking)? The second man responded, "I was drinking today and I would still be drinking if I was not here. How long have you been clean?" The first man replied,"One day, maybe I can help you because I know how to be sober for one day." When I witnessed this I had very mixed emotions. But today, I see the power of strengths--no matter in what quantity.
When we need help, when we are seeking relief, or maybe just looking for a bit of hope during a troubling time, even the least amount of comfort can meet the need. Conversely, we always have something to offer--even when we feel it is only a little or not enough to matter. What is true, on either side of the proverbial coin, giving or receiving, our life improves. This leads me to place the saying, "it is better to give than to receive," in the same category as, "what came first the chicken or the egg." Both play equal roles in improved life.
Many times when I feel down, or when things are not going right in someones life, giving hope to anyone who is seeking comfort can assist us in our dilemmas. As we try to lift someones spirits we are lifted up. I also see when trying to tear down--well the adverb 'down' gives us more than the direction of our mood too. Life is to short, time is so precious, why waste it on sad, or unpleasant, or negative? When we have a choice to lift up or support someone why tear down or not help? Unless we have perfect lives and balanced moods all the time. Most of the time we need all of the help we can get--great or small at any time. Help your self today--help someone else today--lift someone up--give a praise today--offer a smile instead of a frown--it is not the quality--but the frequency that changes things. Step forward you forward stepper.
I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff
3 comments:
TO Whoever commented to my Merry-Go-Round article: I will not name you, but I know who you are. I am not sure why you removed your comment, but I read it earlier today. I want to say it touched my heart. My comment section is low now, but readership is O.K. I want to touch lives through this blog--always positive, always upbeat, always new and fresh. Today, my only prayer for this blog was answered by your comment--I touched your life in a positive way. Thank you for touching mine.
I have been blessed to ALWAYS have a job where I was PAID to make people happy. I was a waitress for 15 years, then I worked in Children's Ministry at Saddleback Church putting Sunday School and Camp and VBS together for the next 10 years. Now, I work as a Concierge responsible only for making sure our conference guests have everything they need. Sometimes this is running to Starbucks for a latte, sometimes it's sending a special gift to their room. Seriously, it is the best job in the universe!
Anyway, I think this is the reason that I have been so happy all my life. I LOVE to make people smile and make them feel good and remind them of what a great world it is that we live in. God has blessed me in this way. It's my nature.
I was married to a very unhappy man. From the day I met him my GOAL was to bring a smile to his face. I will honestly say, he is the only person in the world who I was never able to 'cheer up'. I tried OH so hard. Three years ago I left the same miserable man I had married 23 years earlier.
BUT, he never took away my joy! I was happy every single day of those 23 years. Not because of him, but because of the love of my children, friends and family...AND because I was able to bring JOY to so many others throughout my lifetime.
A good job can save your life. It absolutely saved mine. And bringing happiness and joy to others, aahhh, well, it fills my heart to over flow every single day.
As far as AA, in May 2005 I was blessed to attend the service where my sister Debra was given her ONE YEAR chip. (YES,she is now FOUR YEARS sober!) That service was one of the most incredible experiences in my life. Talk about encouragement and love and acceptance. I had never been anywhere where I felt so much camaraderie and strength and NO judgment whatsoever! I cried and thought the WHOLE time, "THIS is what CHURCH should be like!"
YOU have something to offer Jeff. And I LOVE that you KNOW it. I LOVE confident people who find JOY in making others happy.
I never say "life is too short" tho. I have always said, "life is too long..." Too long to waste on bringing others down and living in misery. Too long to be sad.
So today, I lift YOU up. Thanks for the constant words of encouragement! YOU ARE WORTH IT!
See, sermon. I am famous for using 100 words where 10 will do...
Sue me
Julie
I did read your blog--see 45--I really loved it. Thank you so much for the comments and kind words. You love life and have been blessed. Thank you so much for making my day with each comment---I also loved the view on 72--how hard was it to go home? Another story--a beer in the U.S.--can you imagine that???
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