On a recent international trip and during a layover at the Atlanta airport, I went to the restroom. Upon entering the facility, a custodian was there with her trolly of supplies, wiping down countertops, and offering every single person that entered and exited that restroom words of encouragement (and in true Southern fashion) with a warm smile and compassionate expression.
"Hello there, honey. Welcome to Atlanta."
"You have a blessed day."
"Know you are beautiful."
"You take care and have safe travels."
As I returned to my gate area to await my departure, everyone commented on this individual and shared with their travel mates their personal exchange. And every single time someone relayed the encounter, they had a huge smile on their face. The encounter and exchange had evolved into a contagious positive moment not just for those that went to the restroom but for all of the others who heard about it.
It reminded me of the times in my life when one small act changed my trajectory.
A friend's mother who encouraged me to apply to a residential high school for academically gifted juniors and seniors. This small encouragement led me to apply and be accepted which opened doors to a post-secondary education of which I had never even considered. And, I became the first to graduate from college in my family.
A friend, who upon my father's death and after weeks of walking around in my grief, kindly but pointedly told me that life goes on and I should not let it pass me by. I probably would have continued to swirl in a sea of depression had they not pushed me out of that dark space.
My husband calling me on the way to the airport for a job interview and encouraging me to do my best and then telling me he had just been laid off. Talk about pressure to nail an interview! But it also put me in a vulnerable state where perhaps I was even more my authentic self. (And, I got the job.)
Overhearing a colleague speaking with an executive and complimenting your work and sharing the value they find in working with you. What an awesome yet humbling interaction to overhear.
A child that comes running back to you to give you a huge hug and says "thanks for teaching me."
As a teacher, a mother, a friend, I know that what I say and do has impact on those around me. Sometimes though I think we forget how the small, seemingly unconscious acts, can also have an impact.
On that same trip I also found myself in the airport security line in a country where I did not speak the language and struggling to understand what the officer was communicating to me. After a fair amount of animated dialogue and hand gestures, I figured out my bag had to be searched and screened. At the end of it, we both looked at each other and offered a smile to the other. A small act but we both knew with that one small gesture we had exchanged an understanding and bidded each other to have a good day.
So, consider your small acts. What impact will you make? What influence will you have? Life is indeed passing us all by; let's try to remember to make someone else's day just a little bit brighter. It will in return make yours that much brighter too!
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