You Never Know

I looked at this little cartoon today and laughed because it's so true. You truly have no idea what your influence is going to be on anyone, especially children.

That's something I have totally enjoyed about Facebook: getting back in touch with people I knew and loved at some point in my life, but (sadly) may never ever see in person again. They may be old friends, former students or even family members who are now spread out across the world.

It's such a gift to hear that maybe, something you did some time ago made a difference to someone. It lifts up my heart and helps me to move on in the day-to-day grind to know that something I did may have made a difference. Reminded me of a little poem I read long ago:

You Never Know
Author Unknown

You never know when someone
May catch a dream from you.
You never know when a little word,
Or something you may do
May open up a window
Of the mind that seeks the light
The way you live may not matter at all...
But you never know - it might.

And just in case it could be
That another's life through you.
Might possibly change for the better
With a broader brighter view.
It seems it might be worth a try
At pointing the way to the right.
Of course, it may not matter at all,
But then again it might.

Which in turn inspires me to be more vocal and verbal about the gratitude I feel for those who have been and continue to be life-changers for me. There are many and I am so grateful.

I Can Do Hard Things

If I am to be totally honest, I will say that 2011 has not started out to be such a great year. There have been some hard things going on, including not feeling all that well, which seems to affect everything in life. Mark and I have both had colds/allergies/complications - he has been sicker than I have (he went to see the doc and came back with steroids, antibiotics and asthma meds) and I haven't (thank goodness) had the cough that he has had. I've just had the congestion, the difficulty catching my breath (yay for already having asthma meds! ha!) and the headaches.

Add to that just the everyday frustrations and tough issues that we all deal with and well, I am feeling like I'm probably not doing as well as I could. As I pondered this, (and prayed too, - doing a lot of that lately) I remembered what Julie B. Beck, the General Relief Society President said once - -"We can do hard things".

Yes, we can. And I am. Not very gracefully yet, but I am trying. And I know I can do it, with the help of dear loving family, good friends, and a loving Heavenly Father who will guide every one of us.

I'm so thankful for that knowledge, and I will keep on trying.

New Year's Resolution #2

I want to spend time every day this year enjoying small {but important} things. Like today. First I spent a few minutes with Maya, as I dropped her off at school. Pure pleasure to chat with her first thing in the morning, and I am 100% committed to sending her off with a happy start to her day. {It's sure a happy start to mine.}

After that I spent an hour in her classroom, reading with some not-so-proficient readers. Again, low-key but fun. Then after a few minutes hanging out with the first-graders in the school cafeteria, I left to have lunch with a dear, wonderful friend. We didn't eat anywhere fancy {Galaxy -- good but not fancy, and we both had their mushroom-swiss burger. Far from fancy food, just plain yummy.} We chatted about this and that and just generally enjoyed each other's company.

From there, I got to go spend time with my little Mason - while his mama ran an errand, we read 10 books together I think. And while we read, we visited and snuggled. Another little thing that really was a treasured part of my day.

I have so many wonderful people in my life, and as I enjoy each one of them, this year I also intend to let them know how important they are to me and how much they are loved.

This is when the small things really turn out to be the big things. And they make me happy.