I just have to say that I'm surrounded by amazing people! I cannot begin to express to you how grateful I am for the amazing people in my life and what I've been able to learn from them.
I've always wanted to be that person who sees someone in need and just KNOWS exactly what to do to help out. I feel like the lame one who stands on the sideline watching someone struggle, wishing I could do something, but not knowing what that is. And in all of my lame-ness, I end up watching other people help out and serve (which is great to see, I learn a lot by watching others!!) I've just always wanted to feel like I could help someone in need and know that I'm doing some good.
I've learned a few things over the past year about kindness and showing love for others ( I've learned this in all of my spectating that I seem to do...).
First, never suppress a generous thought. If you think, "I should really do.... for (so and so). " Do it. What harm could come from doing a kind deed?
Second- you don't always have to ask "What can I do to help?" Most of the time, you will get an answer like "Oh, I'm fine. I don't need anything." Just do SOMETHING. If you feel like someone could use a hand up or just a helping hand, do something.
Third- when someone does ask for help- DO IT (if you possibly can!). Obviously, within reason. Why say no if you can possibly say yes? My husband would battle me on this because I do have a hard time saying no when asked to help, to the point of getting overwhelmed at times. I feel like there's got to be a balance...still working on that one.
Thank you so much to all of my friends and family for helping me learn! I could go on and on for hours about people who have been amazing examples of service to me. But I won't. I will tell you of two recent events in my life when someone has touched my heart when I really needed it. September was a rough month in my life, for many different reasons. It was really really tough for some people that I love dearly. Anyway, I made a comment (on Facebook, of all places) that my heart was hurting. That was all. I received a knock at my door later that night to find a sweet friend standing there with a pan full of heart shaped rice crispy treats and a hug. She didn't push me for more information, she just said she loved me and handed me the pan. Made my heart feel a bit better, not so heavy and sad.
Kindness does that, you know. Even in the form of hugs and heart shaped rice crispy treats.
Last month, I (gasp!) got sick with a yucky cold/flu. Not just sick, but beat-down sick. (Side note: Moms should not be allowed to get sick!!) Anyway, my super-duper sweet sister in law called me up one day and told me she was bringing my family dinner. And sure enough, she showed up with home made chicken noodle soup and warm rolls for my family to eat so that they didn't have to suffer through another night of mac'n cheese and hot dogs. THEN she proceeded to write me a note about how loving and thoughtful I was! HA! It made my week. She took the time to think about me, and I can't begin to describe how she made me feel (underneath the sick- yuckiness!). I hope she knows how much I love and appreciate her!! (In all of my lame-ness, I'm afraid I fall short at expressing that!)
You know most everyone has been touched by countless others who are really just angels living here on earth. I love this quote from Elder Holland. He talks about angels that live right here on earth.. "some of them we walk with and talk with- here, now, everyday...Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."
My mom, who is one of those angels, would sing a song to my family growing up "Kindness begins with me." It runs over and over in my head more than I'd like sometimes! But hopefully it is something I can be, more often.
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