It Only Takes A Smile

With each year, my appreciation for my grandmother grows. It’s not often where the owner of a company with over 100 staff members, takes the time to run a standing birthday excel spreadsheet of each of her employees. When the special day comes, each individual is granted with a special gift and card that she personally shops for. She also never forgets a gift for each of them during the holidays and mothers and fathers days. Although she is past the age of retirement, she continues to work endlessly to support her children and grandchildren, sometimes past the point of being spoiled. Her walk in closet has turned into a gift room, full of trinkets and souvenirs to offer almost anyone she encounters. I realize her kindness and gratitude towards those that serve her and who she serves, is always doubly returned to her in the success she continues to achieve. Who in your family has been a role model to you, not just in their financial success, but service to others?

With each move, you can’t help but reflect on all that has occurred in your life up to this point. Friendships, relationships, family growth spurts, losses, trips, and blissful moments. It’s easy to forget all that we have been blessed with, until we take the time to reflect. Maybe it’s through old journals, photographs, conversations with friendships rekindled, or a random memory that may return in our dreams. Filling our spirits up with gratitude for all that has entered our lives up to this point.

Can we internally move through each day in as graceful a manner as a ballerina’s pirouette? Although it may be difficult to see when you are in it, each twist and turn you take becomes one beautiful unique dance piece. Why not celebrate and embrace each movement, perhaps enjoy the pose as you enter into it, step away from it, and venture into the next posture?

As I am preparing for my move abroad, so much of my time has been spent sorting through all I have accumulated over 34 years. I have been spending hours ridding what is no longer serving me, and offering reusable “new” joys to friends, family, and Goodwill. I’ve been visiting with friends and family across the states and in my current town, making an effort to have one last meal with them and share stories of how our paths brought us together, and wonder when they will merge again. Yet, I haven’t spent much time projecting what life will be like outside America.

I still am in shock as to the possibilities that await. My twenty something dream is coming true, through universal forces and the persistent effort of meditation, visualization, service, and gratitude.

What is your twenty something dream? Perhaps it still awaits

What would happen if you allowed yourself to truly dream of how you want your life to be? Do you see it happening? Are you taking steps towards the magical possibilities? What is stopping you from attaining what you want? Jump into your dreams and away from comfort and fear

Creativity can exist upon a plate of leftovers. Choose to see beyond what lies in front of you.
-“when you’re curious you find lots of things interesting to do.”-walt disney

As I prepare for my move overseas, I truly am inhaling and absorbing every moment outdoors in my flip flops. I have been stealing every opportunity to take a dip in my apartment pool, allow the sun to kiss my skin, or gaze at the clouds forming escaping portraits in the sky. As we progress throughout our years in school, summers were meant for rejuvenation, relaxation, and preparation for advancement in our progression towards the educational hierarchy and adulthood. Once we reach adulthood, are we still taking the time to absorb what summer is meant to offer? Step outside and allow your body and soul a chance to smile. Take a dip in the pool or ocean and allow the weight of any burdens release into the water molecules. When we allow our bodies to lighten with the assistance of the sun and water, we’re more free to offer contagious smiles and acts to others.

Today I mailed three massive boxes media mail at the Post Office. Although I had a cart to push the boxes, not one person offered to open the door. As I left, I noticed a middle aged man in the same situation. He had one massive box to mail, but he was carrying it. Nobody dropped what they were doing to open the door. Yet I knew what this was like, after having struggled 10 minutes prior. I opened the door and thought nothing of it. As i walked towards my car, the man found me and offered this card, stating “this is a gift from India.” On the backside of the card, it offered numerous positive spiritual statements. I didn’t feel obligated to give him my card, as this moment was allowing him to express gratitude for a small act of kindness from a stranger and for me to be receptive to accept it. What is one small thing you can do today to impact someone?