For me Christmas means something different this year. I was getting caught up in the Christmas whirlwind of presents, cooking and tree decorating; feeling like I was getting into the perfect holiday spirit. Then I received the news of my uncle. I reflected on what I'd been preparing for, and all of a sudden the gifts I'd been intending to give didn't mean very much anymore. It's funny how even the most exquisite and thoughtful gifts are really just things. Material things that have no lasting effect on anything eternal.
When I found out my uncle had decided to leave us, I partially blamed myself. One of my first thoughts was, "What could I have done differently?" This is the second person I have known that has been lost to suicide, both brought such joy to my life and impacted me in ways I doubt any one else ever could have. Both were so happy at one time, inspiring me to be my best self. So how did it come to this? How could their laughter and optimistic attitudes be turned to depression and self degradation? Although I realize it was not my fault, and it is unlikely that anything I could have done would have prevented the outcome, I have to believe that maybe I can make a difference in someone else. I started thinking of what I could give that would matter the most. So every Christmas from now I want to make it about giving. Giving my time, service and whatever else is needed to bring up another. You never know when someone needs some lifting up. So every Christmas from now on, I challenge all of you to forget about Christmas "things" and think like the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who...
"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
I'm so grateful for Christ and His sacrifice. I'm so grateful for my family and friends. I hope my uncle knows how much I love him. How I hope to always be his "princess", and how much joy he has brought into my life.
Remember that Christmas means a little bit more. Remember to reach out and touch other people's lives. Remember to count your blessings and constantly show gratitude.
In loving memory of:
Robert C. Burnett
2/6/1962-12/20/2010
www.FeelingBlue.org
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
The People That Serve You
"Umm...excuse me, we need more bread for our table," was an often reiterated line from my tables during a serving job I had during college. It wasn't the phrase that bothered me, it was the tone in which it was said. It always seemed to have an attitude attached with it, "Umm...EXCUSE me," was emphasized as if they had been neglected in the past three minutes that I had been away from their table getting their drink order. Let's face it, you don't NEED more bread, you WANT it. We live in an American society that has taught us to continuously put calories in our mouths when we go out to eat. The bread at the beginning of the meal is meant to hold off the appetite until the food arrives. It is not meant for you to stuff in your bellies the equivalent of what would feed a third world country after an earthquake.
It is amazing how demanding and ungrateful the vast majority of the population can be. I have to admit, I have been guilty of this at times. We all have. How many times have we been irritable with a cashier because the line at a store was too long? Or been frustrated with a friend or family member that was giving you a ride and wasn't there the minute that you were ready to be picked up? Granted, we all have days where our patience runs thin; but have you ever stopped to think who you are taking it out on?
I received a lot of negativity as a waitress, but I also remember the select few who had a positive effect on me. There was a quiet man sitting on my table ten one day. He liked his food a certain way, but didn't make a huge fuss about anything. I remember talking to him about the book he was reading, and the bookmark he had. The bookmark had the lyrics of "Amazing Grace" scripted in a deep burgundy against a yellow gold background. I told him how my mother used to sing me that song as a lullaby every night when I was a little girl. He not only left me a tip, but he also left me the bookmark with a note for me on it. He didn't realize that my managers had been hard on me earlier that shift, I will never forget him and the affect he had on me. Quick smiles, and small compliments have uplifted me dramatically; while snobbish attitude and snide remarks darken my mood just as instantly.
Treat everyone as if they were having a bad day. Try actually paying attention to the person ringing you up in a line at a food or clothing store. Ask how their day is, smile. Watch someone's face when you talk to them in a positive way. Be grateful to those that serve you, not only strangers, but also friends and family. Although it may be a job or responsibility to serve you, they could serve you better or worse than they are serving you now. You never know what has happened in their lives. Try to bring out the best in everyone. You are not above anyone. Those that serve you may or may not be less educated, smart or wealthy than you. I have met people in customer service from all backgrounds. In a Utopian society, it is those that serve and work the small jobs that make everything possible. They are the cornerstone to our country's success.
Show gratitude, write thank you notes to those that do things for you. Smile and speak words of encouragement. You will be surprised at how much more bread you will get in your basket when you say, "thank you for the bread, may I please have some more when you get a chance?"
It is amazing how demanding and ungrateful the vast majority of the population can be. I have to admit, I have been guilty of this at times. We all have. How many times have we been irritable with a cashier because the line at a store was too long? Or been frustrated with a friend or family member that was giving you a ride and wasn't there the minute that you were ready to be picked up? Granted, we all have days where our patience runs thin; but have you ever stopped to think who you are taking it out on?
I received a lot of negativity as a waitress, but I also remember the select few who had a positive effect on me. There was a quiet man sitting on my table ten one day. He liked his food a certain way, but didn't make a huge fuss about anything. I remember talking to him about the book he was reading, and the bookmark he had. The bookmark had the lyrics of "Amazing Grace" scripted in a deep burgundy against a yellow gold background. I told him how my mother used to sing me that song as a lullaby every night when I was a little girl. He not only left me a tip, but he also left me the bookmark with a note for me on it. He didn't realize that my managers had been hard on me earlier that shift, I will never forget him and the affect he had on me. Quick smiles, and small compliments have uplifted me dramatically; while snobbish attitude and snide remarks darken my mood just as instantly.
Treat everyone as if they were having a bad day. Try actually paying attention to the person ringing you up in a line at a food or clothing store. Ask how their day is, smile. Watch someone's face when you talk to them in a positive way. Be grateful to those that serve you, not only strangers, but also friends and family. Although it may be a job or responsibility to serve you, they could serve you better or worse than they are serving you now. You never know what has happened in their lives. Try to bring out the best in everyone. You are not above anyone. Those that serve you may or may not be less educated, smart or wealthy than you. I have met people in customer service from all backgrounds. In a Utopian society, it is those that serve and work the small jobs that make everything possible. They are the cornerstone to our country's success.
Show gratitude, write thank you notes to those that do things for you. Smile and speak words of encouragement. You will be surprised at how much more bread you will get in your basket when you say, "thank you for the bread, may I please have some more when you get a chance?"
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Notes of Elucidation
Elucidation...we do this everyday. Elucidate, clarify, explain, pin point, make sense of another twist life has thrown at us. We clarify our good intentions, explain our bad behavior, pin point anthers actions, and make sense of why one ice cream shops' vanilla is better than another. The good, bad and sad we analyze until more time is spent scrutinizing than in the actual occurrence. Life would be much simpler if we could take things at face value; learn to accept or reject and move on. Everything may just be this simple, but then again, if we never questioned, wondered and probed we wouldn't have discovered the worlds we have. The discovery of microorganisms, countries and planets; down to airplanes, computers and culinary masterpieces wouldn't have been found without immense amounts of examination. I hope these letters can provide inspiration with a dash of entertainment to all who read. These words tell a story of a little bit of everything, because that is what life is. I jumbled mess of a little bit of everything. These posts are the stamps that illustrate my thoughts; stamps of illustration and elucidation.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)