Little things...

About six months ago, I gave a recent college graduate a little book that I thought would inspire her to "Live Happy" as she embraced this new part of her life. I wanted it to be a reminder that living happy (or sad) is a choice and that she ultimately had control over how she chose to live. Yesterday, with this community being as small as it is, I was reminded that a co-worker has a connection to the young woman I gave it to and it was suggested that the co-worker's son read it. Now, the co-worker had seen my outer transformation and I had told her the story of "Rocky and me". Kitty...the real story is so much more boring than everyone perceives it to be, which I find kind of funny. Sorry...got off task for a moment. I stood there as this was unfolded to me, and I had forgotten about the book I had given SH months ago. I had hoped she read it and also gave her some CD's that I had hoped would inspire her too, but then to hear that she is giving it to someone else to read made me smile. Little things that we do or say can stick with someone and then you hear about the impact that those things had on someone else's life can take your breath away. I know it does to me. Little things don't have to cost you a thing and don't take a great deal of time...they are something so minute that someone may never notice anyway. But someday, it will come back to you and in ways you never would have guessed. Introduce yourself to someone new at work...pick up a piece of trash on the floor...actions and words inspire others to do the same. It becomes a virus that can spread and then when it covers most of this world, we can all say it started with just a "little thing>"

People can change

Some people are very cynical and do not believe that people can change. I am here to tell you that they can. Not just on the outside, either. People can choose to change what they want to change. And it is not just a one time choice, either. It has to made over and over. So many times, I find it easier to go back to my old life, my old ways of doing things, my old thoughts. Yes, there are times when I falter and step back into "the old me", but I do not stay there long. I choose to not be there. I choose to be "the new me" and make that conscious decision every day. I have seen people change, on the outside and the inside. I have done both. People hold onto those things that they cannot change or forgive and so they expect the worst and always will. They pout and bring others down. People change when they see others change. Then, they believe it is possible. Anything is possible. I was thinking this morning how many times people want to change something little in their lives, but don't. The change doesn't have to be something HUGE like, "curing cancer", but can be something little. Something new. Like putting peanut butter in oatmeal to make it taste better because you don't like oatmeal, but want to eat better. One step at a time can propel you into taking more steps. More steps means you are moving and with that movement comes change. Change you will see. Change people will admire. Change people will choose to be a part of and encourage them to change what you see now. It can be different.