Smile

One of my favorite sayings is Smile and make people wonder what you are up to. Smiles are contagious.

Most people do not want to hang around sad, angry and/or grumpy people all the time. They would much rather be around happy-go-lucky people.

How many people want what a happy person has versus the number of people that want what a sad and angry person has?

Remember that you always represent someone or something all the time. At the very least, you represent yourself and family name. You quite often represent your company or group. And you need to remember that you always represent God. The easiest way to put on a good representation for any of the above is by putting a smile on your face. Most people don't remember the majority of what you say, but they will remember the feeling you left them with at the end of whatever it was you were saying. If you delivered your Pulitzer-prize winning message with a negative tone and frown on your face, people will remember the negative aura but not the real message. However, if you deliver a simple message with a positive attitude and a smile on your face, they will remember that they had a pleasant experience during your presentation and are more likely to remember more. You, your family, your job, your group and God deserve your very best. Again, the easiest way to deliver your best is to start with a smile on your face.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. Remember to do it with a smile; the person will get even more out of your kindness.

When Good People Do Good Things

I have a couple of buddies, Judy and Scott, who in-and-of themselves are good people. Now they are proving again that they are good people.

Both are participating in events to try to find a cure. They have different causes: Judy is walking to try to find a cure for breast cancer on her 3-day walk. Scott is walking to try to find a cure for diabetes on his walk.

Most of you know the old saying, "actions speak louder than words." For those of you who know my buddies, you know that they are seldom short on words. Both are again making their actions speak very loudly.

Hardly anyone has the finances to single handedly wipe out a disease, but together we can do just about anything.

If you have a cause that you already trying to help, good for you. If you know of one that you just have not made the time to help - consider this your nudge. It will definitely make someone's day as an act of kindness - random or not.

Sunsets

Weather-wise, yesterday was a rather bizarre day. The morning started off with rain and then the sun came out for a very short amount of time, then it started raining again. Then it was just very overcast. If you live in the Pacific northwest, you are asking yourself "why is this so bizarre, it happens all the time." I am glad you asked; the bizarre part was the very cool sunset that I saw on my way home.

There was a section of the sky right in the middle of some black clouds that the sunset was just incredible. The pinks, reds, purples and oranges were some magnificent that no picture or photo could have done it justice. You had to be there to experience it yourself because it was not there very long. Just as it was disappearing, a rainbow showed across the black clouds. It was as if the rainbow borrowed some of the color from the sunset.

I think the reason that I enjoyed it so much was because it was framed by the black storm clouds and then the rainbow showed across the blackness. It was probably the second best thing I saw all day - only behind seeing my wife's loving face when I got home.

Again, the sunset did not last very long, but the quality of the sunset was something to marvel. Remember, it is not always quantity that it matters - it is often the quality. Enjoy the small things in life.

Bumps in the Road

Happy Friday everyone ... we made it to the end of another week. That which did not kill us only made us stronger.

Bumps in the road make the trip more interesting, rather than a nuisance. Each week is a journey. How boring would work be if everything went exactly the way it should. Part of reason that I enjoy my job so is due to some of the "bumps" that I find; albeit I am a quality assurance engineer. Granted, I might be a bit weird, but I am not crazy - I do like things to go relatively smoothly. I just try to look at the challenges as just that, a challenge, not some insurmountable roadblock.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. It just might be what the person needs to help smooth out their little bump in the road.

My Day Was Made

My daughter made my day last night for no reason other than she wanted to do it. She gave me a photo album whose cover looks like a basketball. She wanted me to have a place that I could organize my pictures of the girl's basketball team from last season.

Sometimes it is the little things that can turn a good day into a great day or a so-so day into a good day. Yesterday was a good day that turned great.

Teenagers nowadays, as well as when we were teenagers, generally think the world revolves around them. I am very happy that my daughter is just about done with her teenage years. She is growing into a very fine young lady who is learning that it truly is better to give than receive. Don't take your kids for granted. You don't want them to take you for granted.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. It could make your kid's or parent's day a great day.

Green Lights

Today was a green light day.

On my way to work, I think there are about 12 lights that I encounter during my trip. I only had one red light. I'll take that as a good omen for a good day.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. Not everyone starts the day as a green light day, but you can turn it into one for them.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Last week I think I mentioned that I broke my ankle; a broken ankle means I don't get to play basketball for several weeks. It does not mean that I am not involved in basketball while I recuperate.

I got a call from one of the kids yesterday asking if I was going to have the gym open for basketball. I find it rather invigorating to find kids who want to play basketball as much as I do.

The high school decided to open the gym this spring so both the girls and boys could play and keep in shape for next season. We had enough girls come to play that we were able to get the girls in a weekend tournament.

Even though I am unable to play, I enjoy helping others get better at their game. I can still put my best foot forward figuratively, even if I cannot do it literally.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. Don't forget to put your best foot forward when you do it.