"If someone is too tired to give you a smile, leave one of your own, because no one needs a smile as much as those who have none to give."
- Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888)
We sometimes get so wrapped up in everything around us that we forget how our body language speaks to others. We walk through the hallway thinking about what is next on our "to do" list, staring at the floor...not even noticing if someone has walked past us. We are so deep into our thoughts we don't hear the faint "good morning" or "hello" spoken to us.
Today's Starfish
Today, I made it a point to make sure I smiled at everyone I came in contact with. Something as small as a smile (especially on a Monday) can really turn someone's day around. You have probably experienced this at some point. I know I have. Smiles are contagious. Normally, if someone smiles at you, you smile back. And for those people who do not return the smile - it is just a bigger challenge for the next time I run into them! SO - if you are reading this, I challenge you to smile at at least 5 people a day. Not only will you feel better, but you could also make someone's day! And plus, people are going to start wondering what you are up to! And they will start seeing you as a cheerful, happy person.
Small story about smiling - I do the Kosama workout program and just the other day I was checking in at the desk and the girl behind the desk said to me, "You always look so happy to be here. You are always smiling!" Well - truth is, I am not always happy to be there (those workouts are pretty intense!) but why should I look like I hate it when I make a choice to go? I have found that if I change my attitude about certain things and just smile more, I enjoy it more than I normally would. Easy as pie. :)
Speaking of pie.... my other Starfish today is that I took brownies to my co-workers. They are probably going to get tired of me bringing treats! I love trying new recipes but I don't want to leave the sweets around my apartment, so lucky them!
"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."
-Dorothy Draper (1889-1969); Interior designer
This is a very good quote to live by. So many of us only do the right thing or something nice for someone else when we know someone is going to catch us in the act. To me, it is even more rewarding to do something kind for someone else - and have no one know about it.
Today's Starfish
We woke up this morning with snow and ice covering the ground. I am lucky enough to have a garage so I don't have to worry about scraping my car off in the mornings. I did, however, leave a bit earlier than normal since the roads were icy. As I was outside waiting for my car to warm up, I scraped off someone's car in the parking lot. :)
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"
The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die."
"Son," the man said, "Don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can't make a difference!"
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said
"I made a difference for that one."
There is a lot to be learned from that short story. One small act of kindness could do something as large as save a life. I have decided to dedicate every Monday as a day where I will do something kind for someone else. Someone I am close to, an aquaintenancence, or a totally random stranger. I want to make a difference in someone's day. People don't look forward to Mondays - everyone could use a little light to begin their week. I, for one, dread Mondays like the plague. What a ridiculous way to spend one-seventh of your life! I am going to change the way I feel about Mondays and strive to welcome every Monday with the same excitement as I do a Friday. Beginning today!
Today's Starfish
I took snacks to work today to share with my new department. It was a co-worker's birthday and everyone likes a little something sweet to begin their week.
PS: I am open to suggestions for acts of kindness. Just leave me a comment on my page!
We sometimes get so wrapped up in everything around us that we forget how our body language speaks to others. We walk through the hallway thinking about what is next on our "to do" list, staring at the floor...not even noticing if someone has walked past us. We are so deep into our thoughts we don't hear the faint "good morning" or "hello" spoken to us. 
