REPOST....With a new addition: All Are Significant

My friend Michelle emailed this little story she found to me. I absolutely loved it. I love when you read something that just makes you want to ponder it for a while, and then makes you want to change a part of yourself for the better! I just had to share it with you!

“During my second year of nursing school our professor gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.


Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. “Absolutely”, the professor said. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.


I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.”

-Joann C. Jones

The Challenge for today….



Reach out to someone that you may have seen a hundred times or that you run into for the first time today. Another Mom you have seen at the park, the teller at your bank, the cashier at the store or gas station. Learn their name and something about them. Make an effort to always greet this person by name whenever you see them.



Report back here! I would LOVE to hear about the people you meet and the experiences you have! I can’t wait to hear more! I will do the same today! HAVE FUN!

THE NEW ADDITION:


In my effort to become a more patient and kind person, I really wanted to do this challenge.


Here is the deal: When names come last, they stick with you! I mean, it was only after I found out that the lady at the laundromat actually owns the place, and takes great pride in keeping it clean and nice for everyone, she was born into a family of 11 kids. Has lived in Sun Valley her whole life.  Had one child...a baby that was stillborn and then had a difficult fall out with her husband that left her alone and without children, however, she is the absolute favorite aunt and spends as much time as possible with her nieces & nephews...they call her Gran-ty, her older sister passed away a few years ago, she spent every minute trying to take care of her before she passed. She is allergic to dogs. She LOVES people, which is why she LOVES doing laundry all day everyday for other people...only after all of that did I learn her name was Karen. It was given as a start of a friendship introduction, instead of just a title.


Usually if I swing into the laundromat I drop my clothes off, come back as it is finishing in the washer, move on to the next task and come back for everything when the dryer is done. However, after posting the above story last week, I decided to stick around for a bit when I saw Karen. I am so glad I did!


There is so much to learn from so many different people! I am really glad Michelle sent that story to me. I tend to get caught up in my day to day task list. Get in - Get done - Check it off - Move On. It was like putting my head down and going to work, passing a bunch of people along my way. People with their own lives that I am sure I could learn from. I totally believe we can learn something from everyone. As a bonus:While I was still able to get my laundry off my list in the same amount of time...I also gained a new friend! I love friends! :)


So, how about you guys. Did any of you take the challenge? What did you learn? If you didn't take it before....make it a goal! Nothing bad comes from kindness....something I am going to remind myself over and over while I try to get outside of my own little world and meet new people! :)

Have a Great Day!