What’s Gotta Stay

It is amazing how easily we can get tied up into our own lives, and forget there are others around us we can influence in a positive way. Our lives are busy, and all to often we let the tasks required of us dictate our time and attention. We end up with blinders on that only allow us to focus on our current needs and not much else.

When is the last time you have gone out of your way to do a small act of service or kindness for someone else? I am sure you have, so think back to it. Hopefully it isn’t too hard or too long ago you have to be thinking about. Whether it is or not, I am sure you can remember the good feeling you had for doing it. Sometimes the feeling is even better when the person has no idea that you were the one doing them an act of service. The reward for service rendered is not always the praise or thanks you receive in return.

These acts need not be something big or public. It can be the plate of brownies with a note left on your neighbor’s doorstep (my wife is great at this, I have room to do better). Cleaning up the family room before anyone else notices after the whirlwind of kids has made its way through. Ironing all the clothes hanging out after the dryer cycle before your spouse gets to it. What you do is of course specific to the situation you are in and those you interact with.

In the next 24 hours, think of something you can do and do it. See if you can do it without taking credit for it. Even better, use this as an opportunity to start a new habit of doing one kind thing a day.