The little things that count

[louis33705]

I wrote about the struggles I had with my son earlier this year. He totally unfriended me from his life. A couple of days ago I walked into Linda's apartment and she was on the phone. She finger-motioned me to stay quiet as she was on the phone with our son. I sat next to her and placed my ear next to hers to hear the conversation. Just listening to his voice gave me so much comfort in hearing him and knowing he was well.

We take so much for granted that at times we do not realize what a little gesture from ourselves can mean to another person. A cashier at the grocery store can see you approaching and says, "Good to see you again. Did you find everything you needed?" As you exit you thank the cashier and the bagger for a good job and you see their smiles.

Walk down the street, a stranger is approaching you, you nod and smile and they return the smile. A person drops something on the ground and you reach down to retrieve it. Maybe you get lost in a visiting city and someone helps giving you directions to your destination.

Get my drift? It is those little things that count. That is what makes us the species we are, caring People.

Have a great day, Folks. Hope your life is going well today.

Peace,
Louis

PLEASE Share your thoughts on those little things that count. This is an open forum.

 

[Beth]

I wrote about the struggles I had with my son earlier this year. He totally unfriended me from his life. A couple of days ago I walked into Linda's apartment and she was on the phone. She finger-motioned me to stay quiet as she was on the phone with our son. I sat next to her and placed my ear next to hers to hear the conversation. Just listening to his voice gave me so much comfort in hearing him and knowing he was well.

We take so much for granted that at times we do not realize what a little gesture from ourselves can mean to another person. A cashier at the grocery store can see you approaching and says, "Good to see you again. Did you find everything you needed?" As you exit you thank the cashier and the bagger for a good job and you see their smiles.

Walk down the street, a stranger is approaching you, you nod and smile and they return the smile. A person drops something on the ground and you reach down to retrieve it. Maybe you get lost in a visiting city and someone helps giving you directions to your destination.

Get my drift? It is those little things that count. That is what makes us the species we are, caring People.

Have a great day, Folks. Hope your life is going well today.

Peace,
Louis

PLEASE Share your thoughts on those little things that count. This is an open forum.

i so agree; it is the little "thank yous" that help us every day. May i also add, don't forget to talk to your neighbors. I "work" on my computer on our kitchen table; from here, I see the entire street. I can pretty much tell you everyone's schedule and everyone'f phone number. We chat in the evenings at our "community" mail box. this is a great time to thank them for their hard work. On my street we have: a trucker, a stay at home mom, a few retirees, a nurse, an Ophthalmologist, a drug dealer and a few renters that come and go. All of these people better my life and I do thank them for their work.

 

[Kylebrand]

Beth, if I had a drug dealer on my street, I'm sure my life would be better; wait, I do have one. Nevermind. Yesterday at the grocery the lady in front dropped a coin. I could see she wasn't able to get it so I quickly said "Let me get that for you". She thanked me but still I think I felt better about that then she did. I also get "Thanks for your service" if I am on a burying detail or trumpet (taps) in uniform. The personnel at the VA hospital say that to 1,000's of Vets everyday. Now that's special! Also, over my 30 year teaching career, often one or more students would say thank-you Mr. myname. Nothing could ruin my day or break my smile after that! These are the times I try to remember (and others) when my spirit needs a lift. You are so right, Louis

 

[another1]

the lady across the street keeps me up the neighborhood watch matters and the others tend to be come and go renters.
a lady on the forum keeps me up on social media matters and the others tend to be comment and reply posters.
my world is limited to city hall and this forum. with walks on the wild side.
city hall starts with campaigns that affect the neighborhood.
the forum starts with a website with a social media presence.
I find people are willing to give more, if please and thank you are used. I love you should be used often.

 

[joninliverton]

i so agree; it is the little "thank yous" that help us every day. May i also add, don't forget to talk to your neighbors. I "work" on my computer on our kitchen table; from here, I see the entire street. I can pretty much tell you everyone's schedule and everyone'f phone number. We chat in the evenings at our "community" mail box. this is a great time to thank them for their hard work. On my street we have: a trucker, a stay at home mom, a few retirees, a nurse, an Ophthalmologist, a drug dealer and a few renters that come and go. All of these people better my life and I do thank them for their work.

Beth you lil stalker. Jeez that certainly doesn't happen in the uk, which I guess is rather sad to some extent but being too nosey can be as bad as being nice. My mother says that years ago they used to be able to keep their car windows down, leave their front doors open, but not anymore. Sad but true.

 

[betudidntknow]

I wrote about the struggles I had with my son earlier this year. He totally unfriended me from his life. A couple of days ago I walked into Linda's apartment and she was on the phone. She finger-motioned me to stay quiet as she was on the phone with our son. I sat next to her and placed my ear next to hers to hear the conversation. Just listening to his voice gave me so much comfort in hearing him and knowing he was well.

We take so much for granted that at times we do not realize what a little gesture from ourselves can mean to another person. A cashier at the grocery store can see you approaching and says, "Good to see you again. Did you find everything you needed?" As you exit you thank the cashier and the bagger for a good job and you see their smiles.

Walk down the street, a stranger is approaching you, you nod and smile and they return the smile. A person drops something on the ground and you reach down to retrieve it. Maybe you get lost in a visiting city and someone helps giving you directions to your destination.

Get my drift? It is those little things that count. That is what makes us the species we are, caring People.

Have a great day, Folks. Hope your life is going well today.

Peace,
Louis

PLEASE Share your thoughts on those little things that count. This is an open forum.

There was a thread a few weeks ago and the reference was made to "holier than thou.....". I replied that, doing what I would consider "the right thing" doesn't make me a better person than, say someone who acted differently under similar circumstances! It does make me feel better as a person, for having done it!

 

[Ambivalent]

There was a thread a few weeks ago and the reference was made to "holier than thou.....". I replied that, doing what I would consider "the right thing" doesn't make me a better person than, say someone who acted differently under similar circumstances! It does make me feel better as a person, for having done it!

*********************************************************************

Betu,

From my perspective, you worked your way to the perfect spot, in your very last clause. For we cannot control the world at large. What matters (I think) is that we become our very best SELVES. And to do so, is a great accomplishment indeed. (Particularly in my case, for I am a reprobate ;-)

"A" XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

 

[Ambivalent]

I wrote about the struggles I had with my son earlier this year. He totally unfriended me from his life. A couple of days ago I walked into Linda's apartment and she was on the phone. She finger-motioned me to stay quiet as she was on the phone with our son. I sat next to her and placed my ear next to hers to hear the conversation. Just listening to his voice gave me so much comfort in hearing him and knowing he was well.

We take so much for granted that at times we do not realize what a little gesture from ourselves can mean to another person. A cashier at the grocery store can see you approaching and says, "Good to see you again. Did you find everything you needed?" As you exit you thank the cashier and the bagger for a good job and you see their smiles.

Walk down the street, a stranger is approaching you, you nod and smile and they return the smile. A person drops something on the ground and you reach down to retrieve it. Maybe you get lost in a visiting city and someone helps giving you directions to your destination.

Get my drift? It is those little things that count. That is what makes us the species we are, caring People.

Have a great day, Folks. Hope your life is going well today.

Peace,
Louis

PLEASE Share your thoughts on those little things that count. This is an open forum.

************************************

Louis. This was a lovely post. I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis almost ten years ago - a disease peculiar both to Black people, and to very fair Celtic people: isn't that interesting? (It is a fine proof that, under the SKIN, we are all HUMAN, and subject to the same indignities of human biology!!!) For some people, this disease amounts to being only a minor annoyance: for others (like the comedian Bernie Mac) it silently infiltrates the heart or lungs or liver with the tumours it inevitably deposits (such as now empurple my skin) and one fine morning - you wake up. . . well, you don't wake up.

If this doesn't seem entirely too treacly, or sententious, when I was diagnosed with this odd and rare disease (which makes me a wondrous circus-animal for my doctors, I can tell you - - - interns are brought into every check-up of mine, to GUESS the ILLNESS, and take notes, and Polaroid photos): I resolved, simply:

To make someone laugh or smile, every day. That's it, that's all. That's my only goal. The means are sundry, various, and endless. It is clear I do not have the capacity to change the world, in any material way. I will not become Prime Minister (as some of my high-school teachers hoped): and I lack the scientific acumen or curiosity to find a cure for anything, at ALL.

BUT, Louis, if I can make ONE PERSON LAUGH, each day - well, I am content that this shall be MY contribution, in this vale of tears. And, small as it is - I think it is a worthy one, and I am happy with it. But, I do strictly hold myself, to this task!

To my way of thinking, attainable goals are paramount. And I am happy to reach, for these.

"A" XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

 

[stowe1]

Little Things Mean A Lot - Kitty Kallen

 

[mikeyank]

..........................................
I resolved, simply:

To make someone laugh or smile, every day. That's it, that's all. That's my only goal. The means are sundry, various, and endless. It is clear I do not have the capacity to change the world, in any material way. I will not become Prime Minister (as some of my high-school teachers hoped): and I lack the scientific acumen or curiosity to find a cure for anything, at ALL.

BUT, Louis, if I can make ONE PERSON LAUGH, each day - well, I am content that this shall be MY contribution, in this vale of tears. And, small as it is - I think it is a worthy one, and I am happy with it. But, I do strictly hold myself, to this task!

To my way of thinking, attainable goals are paramount. And I am happy to reach, for these.

"A" XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

That is indeed an admirable goal to attain each day, Ambi. You remind me of a quote from the late Jim Valvano who was a college basketball coach, who was later on ESPN as an analyst on college basketball broadcasts. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he was awarded the "Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award" at the first ESPY presentation, and he announced the creation of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, giving an incredibly warm, moving and yet funny speech with only eight weeks left in his life. He was sick on the plane ride from North Carolina to New York City, accompanied by his wife, and current Jimmy V board members, ESPN announcer Dick Vitale and Duke basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski.

This is the quote from that speech Ambi that your post reminded me of, and I've also included a link to his famous speech if anyone wants to be moved to laugh, think and to cry.

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”

 

[another1]

************************************

Louis. This was a lovely post. I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis almost ten years ago - a disease peculiar both to Black people, and to very fair Celtic people: isn't that interesting? (It is a fine proof that, under the SKIN, we are all HUMAN, and subject to the same indignities of human biology!!!) For some people, this disease amounts to being only a minor annoyance: for others (like the comedian Bernie Mac) it silently infiltrates the heart or lungs or liver with the tumours it inevitably deposits (such as now empurple my skin) and one fine morning - you wake up. . . well, you don't wake up.

If this doesn't seem entirely too treacly, or sententious, when I was diagnosed with this odd and rare disease (which makes me a wondrous circus-animal for my doctors, I can tell you - - - interns are brought into every check-up of mine, to GUESS the ILLNESS, and take notes, and Polaroid photos): I resolved, simply:

To make someone laugh or smile, every day. That's it, that's all. That's my only goal. The means are sundry, various, and endless. It is clear I do not have the capacity to change the world, in any material way. I will not become Prime Minister (as some of my high-school teachers hoped): and I lack the scientific acumen or curiosity to find a cure for anything, at ALL.

BUT, Louis, if I can make ONE PERSON LAUGH, each day - well, I am content that this shall be MY contribution, in this vale of tears. And, small as it is - I think it is a worthy one, and I am happy with it. But, I do strictly hold myself, to this task!

To my way of thinking, attainable goals are paramount. And I am happy to reach, for these.

"A" XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis 40 years ago. swedes and blacks were two group then known to develop sarcoidosis. there was no cure, but the symptoms was treated with prednisone. the steroid made my face fill out, made me rage, and gain weight. the sarcoidosis led to pericarditis that had to be treated with aspirin. so much aspirin that I had ringing in my ears.
being free of hvc, I now am free of health issues. keeping the blood flowing to my brain is my remaining control and that is under control. finding those who have the knowledge and will to resolve any of my issues help me deal with my health. I use the same approach when dealing with anything I consider important. my government and my entertainment.
I like to laugh, to think, to be moved to tears. just surviving is worth a laugh. just dreaming is worth the thought. things are sad and joyful and are worth the tears. sometimes I laugh until I cry.

put the big rocks in first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38U_rLLW-qM

 

[louis33705]

I address my own health issues in Tampa's thread concerning "Inspirational things found on the internet." I talk about my plight with cancer and living today with the uncertainty of whether it would return or not. Yet. I keep a positive outlook and live my life imagining that if I were to die today, I would do so with a smile on my face knowing I maybe made one other person smile in my path.

 

[louis33705]

I do want to add something else to my previous post. It is not always people that you make smile. Today, I stayed home. I decided this would be a Harley (my Pomeranian) pampering day. Around 2:00 pm this afternoon, Harley was sleeping on the floor next to my bed. I slowly woke him with a small treat. When I saw that he was fully awake, I carried him to the bathroom. I gave him a shower, took him out, trimmed his belly hair and cut is nails. The funny part was when I was cutting his toe nails. He was on his back with his four paws in the air. While I was cutting them, he was sleeping and snoring obviously content with the attention he was receiving. How great is that?

I guess the important thing is that it all brought a smile to my face. Today was a good day!

 

[Ambivalent]

That is indeed an admirable goal to attain each day, Ambi. You remind me of a quote from the late Jim Valvano who was a college basketball coach, who was later on ESPN as an analyst on college basketball broadcasts. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he was awarded the "Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award" at the first ESPY presentation, and he announced the creation of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, giving an incredibly warm, moving and yet funny speech with only eight weeks left in his life. He was sick on the plane ride from North Carolina to New York City, accompanied by his wife, and current Jimmy V board members, ESPN announcer Dick Vitale and Duke basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski.

This is the quote from that speech Ambi that your post reminded me of, and I've also included a link to his famous speech if anyone wants to be moved to laugh, think and to cry.

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”

**************************************

Thank you, Mike -

Wonderful quote, and speech. Most inspiring

"A" )))

 

[Ambivalent]

Damn it,

Another1, thank you for sharing this. You were already my friend, but I really appreciated your sharing this story about your experiences with sarcoidosis. I had just written you a long letter telling you of my experiences too, which took me an hour or so to write - and then I hit a random combination of keys which amounted to the fatal "hard delete", and lost it ALL. SO that not even the auto-restore function worked.

Anyway, you're my buddy. So PM me sometime, and we can talk more about this, if you like.

~ "A" XOXOXOXOXOXO