Why can’t every day bring on this kind of joy in my heart, inspiration to my mind, and peace in my soul?  I guess if every day was as moving as today has been for me, than I wouldn’t be able to truly appreciate it the way I am right now.  Nothing “major” happened today to elicit such feelings, but it’s just been one of those precious days when you wake up and you are truly thankful to be alive.  I know I should wake up every day and feel that way, but I’m sorry…I’m not Mary Poppins and I’m merely mortal.  I wake up many days sleep deprived and dreading the never-ending to-do list on my counter.

Today really started no differently than any other day.  I woke up with this insatiable toothache (root canal scheduled for tomorrow..whoo-hoo), I didn’t get much sleep due to said toothache, and I have a to-do list a mile long.  However, it’s been one of those days where something minor…something seemingly insignificant…..shifts my entire perspective on my day, my life, and my whole demeanor.

So what was this “minor” shift that pushed me past my normal “daily grind” attitude into blissful delight?  Well, it was the comments I received from yesterday’s post.  I think people quite often underestimate the power of a kind word or a gentle smile.  I woke up and read the wonderful things people wrote to me, and it literally brought tears to my eyes and made my entire sleep deprived face light up.   There was even an email sent to me from an “unofficial” member of my family letting me know that some of my posts lately have helped her cope with the very difficult time she is going through in her personal life right now.   I don’t mention this to toot my own horn, I’m writing it to try and get my point across….that we ALL can make a difference in people’s lives by the smallest, random acts of kindness.

I’m sure that many of you who sent me a positive comment or have commented on other posts in the past didn’t think you were doing anything special or that it was going to affect me the way that it did.  Just as I never know when I write a post if my words can or will effect anyone who reads them.  I am quite often as clueless to my impact on people just as all of us are.  For example, I know that my very favorite blogger, ethelmaepotter, doesn’t realize how deeply she touches my soul when I read her posts….how her words linger with me all day long.  Just as I’m sure that the friend who stopped me at school today to ask me how Avery’s tutoring was going didn’t realize the impact her sincere inquiry for my son had on me.

You see, it doesn’t have to be big and grand to make a large impact in people’s lives.  I believe that sincerity, love, empathy, and pure kindness in our gestures will carry people through even their darkest hours. While I may not have the ability or capacity in my life to crusade for world peace or raise millions of dollars to fight hunger, I do have the knowledge that a sincere “how are you doing” to a friend in need or a simple “I love you” to my child who perhaps had a rough day at school can truly change the pendulum in people’s lives.

So I want to take this moment to thank each and every one of you for reading my blog.  I thank you for your positive feedback, which inspires me to keep writing.  I appreciate the kind words and prayers from friends on behalf of my family….sometimes for no apparent reason other than people just want to be nice and pray for us!  I am grateful for the people who play significant roles in my life and perhaps don’t even realize it…teachers, friends, family, and even the stranger reading this right now or the gas station attendant who shoots me a genuine smile.   You all make a difference in my life and for that I am eternally grateful!

And no matter how corny or cliché this may sound, please don’t ever forget that we all have the capacity within ourselves to change the world….one smile, kind word, or meaningful gesture at a time.