“Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold but so does a hard-boiled egg.” ~
Good morning, my friends. I hope this finds you well and taking winter in stride. Please don’t think I have gone completely ’round the bend’ and no, this post is not about hard-boiled eggs. However, Maya Angelou can go directly to the point of an issue, as she does in the quote above.
Lately, it seems as though everything I pick up to read, at some point, mentions how our actions are impacting others. Even the tiniest of things. When this happens, I always feel as though I should pay attention to these gentle nudges. So I am, and I thought perhaps I should share my thoughts with you.
Do you ever feel as though your actions may not be as thoughtful or considerate of others as they could or should be? Or, how we are all connected and therefore, our actions often even impact strangers? Many times, I think we fail to think outside of our own families. This is quite normal and I am ever so guilty of this. While our families always come first, there are others in our world. However, when I receive my ‘gentle nudges’ it reminds me that I have a responsibility to folks I do not know, as well as my family. There lies my reason for this post. It is my hope that you may be encouraged to pause and give the subject some thought as well.
“Never underestimate the valuable and important difference you make in every life you touch. For the impact you make today has a powerful rippling effect on every tomorrow.” ~ Unknown
Flowers bloom with your love and care. They add beauty to the world. Strangers who pass by enjoy our efforts and beauty lifts everyone.
Children grow and will learn to use equipment with real motors which will keep their homes and gardens tidy.
I like to think we are making a little progress toward the care of our beautiful land, marshes, rivers, streams, oceans, and all wildlife living in such places. Perhaps finally, we are learning to walk more softly upon the earth. Yes, all of the things mentioned above have a tremendous ripple effect. Not only for today but for tomorrow as well.
However, dreadful COVID has shown us we are not being as thoughtful or considerate of others as we should. And, that also has and continues to have a tremendous ripple effect. The rise in the number of cases and deaths is proof. I feel so badly for our health care workers, who are worn to the point of no return. In our small state, we had over 1,700 nurses who did not renew their licenses. This is a crisis for everyone. Why so? Because who else will we seek assistance from should we become infected or need medical assistance? At the end of the day, what we have is simple ~ each other. So, let’s be more loving humans. Do all we can possibly do to stop the spread of this monster. Humanity is counting on us.
Dear friends, know how much I appreciate your visit.
And. . .
May your day and the week ahead be filled with love and joy.
Stay well!
“. . .The French word ‘sillage’ means the scent of perfume lingering behind in a room after the wearer has left. Although we may be completely unaware of it, in numerous ways our presence in others’ lives sometimes leaves behind significant sillage long after we are gone.” ~ Jonathan Carroll
Amour,
Sandra
Images: Tumblr
Many moon ago when I was still working, I went down to our break room and it happened that a production was also breaking. It was the first time for the professor in the program to be an on-camera talent and he would have to read the prompter, which he wasn’t used to. He told me how he always felt like when I was on camera, it just felt so natural and he didn’t know how to do that. I told him to just remember he was talking to one person and not to “read” it but “feel” it — and he’d be just fine. “You talk to people every day; you can do this,” I said. About five or six years later, I happened to see him again in the street. He stopped me and said, “You really changed things for me that day and you made me feel like I was capable, even though I’d never done that before and that made a difference in everything.” I was shocked. In fact, I barely remembered the initial encounter. Yet it made a difference. I thought about how many times we are in a hurry, about how I could have grabbed what I needed from the vending machine without interacting or just tossing off a comment and thanks. The littlest things we do and say can make a tremendous difference and sometimes we never know what that difference was. It’s the same for helping the environment or simply saying thanks. Your words are important ones here, Sandra. I’m glad you created such a beautiful and thought provoking post — and also for reminding me of a special memory.
Jeanie, you can’t possibly know how much I sincerely appreciate your beautiful and thoughtful comments. Years ago, I read one of Alexandra Stoddard’s books and she talked throughout the book about the “ripple effect” and the power it holds. I have never forgotten it. I am so happy you had the opportunity to see the professor again and for him to share his appreciation with you. And, I am sure the “ripple effect” of your help went far and wide.
Thank you again, Jeanie. Everything we do matters, even for those we do not know.
We are having a big snow today, hope you are not buried under a white blanket. Have a great day and week ahead!
Great post Sandra. I always try to be kind. And I appreciate kindness back. xo
Good morning, Penny. Our actions make such a difference in the world.
I love the idea of sillage, especially as it relates to a garden which gives pleasure to others passing by. Happy Sunday, Sandra.
Thank you, Rita. I love it too for so many reasons. Happy day and week to you!
Sandra, this is a beautiful post. The Jonathon Carroll quote is not only amazing but it goes perfectly with my word for 2022. I hope to share that word this week and I would love to include this quote. Thank you dear one for the beauty that you share each Sunday!
Hi Pam, you are welcome to share the quote. I think it pertains to so many things. It gives one pause to think.
Wishing you a lovely day and week, my sweet friend!
This, Sandra, is exactly on my own mind these days. I’m so glad you’ve written about it and that our thoughts merge on this important subject of how everything we do and say impacts somebody, somewhere.
Like you, tiny nudges are ever reminding me that it matters to keep walking with kindness, consideration, and awareness of others. I believe it’s the Love that emanates from those who walk on earth that Heaven notices, or the lack of it. It matters.
I so loved the line you wrote about maybe we’re at long last learning to ‘walk more softly upon the earth’. I hope so, Sandra, I do hope so. Thank you, thank you for this timely post. I shall carry its message in my heart in these days ahead. With love, Brenda xo
Hello, my friend. I am so happy you enjoyed the post and that you understood what I was trying to say. It is sometimes hard for me to not be blunt, especially when it is something or someone that I care about and in this case, it is both. I care about the people of this earth and how they are impacting others. I have always felt that God speaks to us through others. So, I thought perhaps I should speak. We are in a terrible mess with this dreadful virus and I do not know how or when it will end. All I know is it will end sooner with less death and sickness if people will do as we have been asked to do. Get vaccinated, wear masks, and stay close to home.
And our earth will be happier if we love her and appreciate the beauty she brings us every day. It really isn’t hard.
Thank you so much for your visit, kind words, and for taking a moment to comment. Have a lovely week.
Happy Sunday, Sandra! Such a lovely post for this Sunday, and I love the Jonathan Carroll quote that you have shared. I always strive to be a better person, offer grace, and try to spread kindness. I also try to instill this in my children so that hopefully they will make this world a better place. Sadly, our Covid numbers are very high in the state. It seems everyone you talk to has it even though they are doing their part. I have several vaccinated and boosted friends and family members who are sick right now. I pray for our health care workers every day and those affected by the pandemic. I also pray that this pandemic will leave us soon, and we will see brighter days ahead. Wishing you a blessed week ahead, sweet friend! Stay well!
Good morning, Shannon. I agree with your every word. Know I wish you and yours a wonderful week. And that you and your family will stay well!