SMILE! Even if you don't want to!!!

Sometimes in life you meet people who no matter what, will find fault in someone or something or EVERYTHING.  It's so easy to judge that person as being mean or just plain ungreatful.  It's really easy to judge and assume.    But if you step back and take the time to really assess their situation, you will most likely find that this person is hurting in some way in their life.  They are either in extreme pain physically or mentally or both.  I can say this without reservation because I can stand back and not only see how I act when I am in extreme pain but also I witness it from others on a daily basis.  When someone is in any kind of pain, it affects their behavior.  Some people will just crawl in a hole and distance themselves from other people.  Others will act rudely and lash out at other people.  Some will do both.  Most of the time, they don't even realize they are being that way.  I know a great old lady who is genuinely a sweet lady.  She has been through ALOT in life and I don't even know the half of what she has been through.  She complains alot.  She is mean alot.  She finds fault in alot of people.  BUT I know this lady is in alot of pain both physically and mentally.  She IS NOT trying to be the way she is.  This is just the way she expresses her pain.  Sometimes it gets very frustrating to listen to the way she behaves.  Sometimes you want to stand back and say "Can't you be a little more appreciative???"  I really try daily to have compassion for her and try and divert the way she is acting to a more positive way.  While acknowledging that her feelings are HER feelings, I try and give her a different perspective on the way SHE is seeing things.  Today, I asked her where her smile was.  She told me she was too mad and tired to smile. I tried to make a joke about something dumb and within a minute she was smiling and even laughing with someone at her table!  SHE DIDN'T WANT TO SMILE.  She didn't!!!!!  But I knew it would make her feel better about life in general if she did.  The main thing I want anyone that reads this to get in my ramblings is...Please do not judge.  Please take time to care.  Please bring back some compassion in life.  I think this is the key to a successful society and I know in my own life that it brings me much joy to care.  I'm certainly not perfect and I have ALOT to change and fix in my own life.  But I am trying to take my own advice.  Even if they are being a pain in the you know what...care and you will feel MUCH enjoyment in your life.  I felt wonderful when I saw her smiling today!  W~ I know you are in much pain.  I hope you know that you have a whole team of people who do care about you and who do love you very much.  I wish for you to find happiness in your days ahead!  So, my message today.  Smile...even if you don't want to.  You will feel better ...even if it's just for a second!  :)

Little Things

I have met some very wonderful people in my life and been blessed to have gotten to know some pretty amazing Seniors these past couple years.  I won't ever use real names for privacy but this particular guy was an amazing old man.  He loved to wear a hat daily and always no matter what, had a smile.  He was a big guy by nature and had a heart of gold to match.  He couldn't ever say much.  But he appreciated the little things every day.  This poem I wrote for him a few weeks before he passed!  Today, take some time to appreciate something you may take for granted.  :)

L~  Gone...but not forgotten:

                                                                  

Little Things

It's the little things, sir

That makes a difference in one's day

It's not how cute our clothes are

Or how much money that we've made

It's the smile that you gave me

Today while you ate your meal

It's the way that you said Thank You

That makes my life feel real

It's the little things, sir

That matters most, you see

I am thankful for YOU, my friend

for sharing your time with me!

By: Cindy Beiser 2-14-10

Being Thankful!!!!

As I sit back and think about how Thankful  I am for all the gifts in my life, it brings tears to my eyes.  I have been very blessed all my life.  Not for the “things” that I have but for the “people” that have I have been able to share it with.    A lot of times, I take knowing that these people will always be here for granted.  I was talking to a great friend of mine during a early morning walk a few weeks back and we were talking about being “present” in our interactions with people.  I have always wanted to spend time with my children or family but I haven’t always been present in the moment.  Just “being there” I always considered that I was doing things right.  But in all actuality, I wasn’t “there” a lot of the times.  I’m talking about putting down the phone, getting off the computer, shutting off the TV and really being present in the moment.  It sounds like such a simple concept but if you really think about it with our busy daily lives, being PRESENT is really not that easy of a thing to do.  BUT, it can be worked on daily. Giving the acknowledgement and time to my people is definitely something I want to work on.  Today I celebrate one of my bestest friends in the world.  B~ and I had a period of time where we would take for granted the fact that we would always have tomorrow.  During this time a lot of our plans we made we both canceled on and we got to the point that we were never really making the effort to connect in person.  Over the past few months we BOTH have realized that we don’t have to make a big production and spend a lot of money to get together.  It’s as simple as meeting in the morning for coffee and fruit.  Getting together for a fun morning walk or WHATEVER.  Enjoying life does not have to cost money or be a big production.  I am so thankful for our special times we have shared in life and I am very thankful for our fun Birthday walk this morning and yummmmmy Breakfast.  (although IHOP always makes me sick afterwards L  Brooke…my Pup….Happy Birthday to you.  Here is to 20+ years of friendship and I cannot wait to sit grey-haired and wrinkled with you on our front porches!  Today, I am THANKFUL FOR YOU!!!  xoxox

Healing Hearts

It's a simple concept really!  We ALL have the power to heal someone.  It's a simple act of compassion shown through a simple act of kindness.  You can make a difference in someones life every single day.  All it takes is making the effort to show you have kindness.  I am not talking about donating 10 on your phone.  Although donations are IMPORTANT.  I am talking about things you can do without even opening up your wallet.  Making eye contact with someone.  Asking someone if they are OK.  Holding a Seniors hand and asking them if they need a drink of water.  I had someone tell me the other day.  "I'ts sure a good thing you are here, YOU are the only one that really cares!".  Although I don't think that was a true statement, SHE felt this and I had made a difference in her life that day.  That made my heart sing!  It made me forget about any of the trials that I am going through!  I am going through trials!  Making someone else feel special gets me through these daily! I am thankful!