Yesterday, as I was waiting in line at the grocery store, the cashier asked an old man how we was doing. His response was "I've never felt better and had less." Hearing this made my heart smile, and I told myself it was going to set the tone for my weekend. It is so simple, yet, so profound.
I came home from shopping and felt good. Not only did I get 90 minutes of kid-free grocery shopping accomplished (yippee!), but almost everyone I crossed paths with was warm and pleasant.
It is contagious.
Over the past few days, people around me have been spreading the love:
* A friend of mine had leftovers from a dinner party which she graciously shared with us on Thursday night. It was a simple gesture, but it was so nice. Everyone knows that food tastes so much better when someone else makes it & these side dishes were delicious.
* Another friend is letting us use her gorgeous pool for the weekend while her and her family are at the beach. We're staying home this holiday weekend, but using the pool is making us feel like we're on a fabulous staycation!
* Our neighbor found an old baseball bat in his house and brought it over for my son to have. This neighbor is so good to my boys and always so generous. I've heard the saying "good fences make good neighbors", but no fence is needed around here.
Here's the best part yet...
* Yesterday, we had a contractor do some work at our house and he actually charged us $100 less than expected, because it took him less time than he anticipated. I've never had this happen before. But, he said he wants to treat customers good because he knows they will use him again. He is right.
Showing my gratitude to all of these people is important. Paying it forward it more important.
Go West Young Mom has a blog post about the "500 Things Project" which is so relevant. I think a lot of people are now realizing things are just things. We are not defined by the material things that we have. You can make more of an impact with what you give vs. what you have. And, giving is contagious.