Kimberly Beaman

Sometimes all it takes is a stranger saying a compliment or taking the time to care.  My thought for today is go out tomorrow and do something for someone else.  It can be as simple as a thank you card in the mail, just because.  Or as grand as taking over someone’s responsibilities for a day.  Whatever your choice, be sure to do so with love.  Today was one of those really busy days as I am balancing two jobs being a mommy to a 13 month old and working as a counselor.  Of course throw in all the other responsibilities and titles and it can feel like I have ten jobs.  I love it all even when I am so exhausted that I struggle to recall what day/time of the week it is.  Yikes!  And each day is different and filled with surprise.  At least my days are not boring!

So as I was saying…the day began in a frenzied mode prepping baby food, juggling work load and attending appointments.  In the back of our SUV, I had a laundry basket full of books to donate.  Originally my thought was to sell them.  However, I wanted to do a good deed today.  So between my afternoon appointment and scheduled work commitment; I went over to our local book store and donated about 15 books.  As I was getting out of the car, I asked a passerby if she wanted first dibs.  Ironically she was looking for travel theme books.  So she gladly took the two travel theme books from my basket.  It felt good to see this stranger smile.  I could go on and on but I won’t.

Long story, short, the librarian was also happy.  While at this store, I ran into an elderly woman named “Wanita”.  I chose to walk up to her and re introduce myself.  You see, I ran into her months ago at Michael’s Craft Store with my daughter in tow.  Wanita is a very kind, genuine lady who divulged her life story involving Norfolk, Virgina to me, upon our initial meeting at Michael’s.  Wanita appeared to not recognize me or our prior conversation.  But Wanita jumped right in updating me on her two grown children.  I told her that I valued the love story she had shared with me once before.  This story was about how she and her husband met.  Wanita smiled and began sharing the story again. I felt that she enjoyed talking and wanted to continue, so I invited her to the lobby.  Plus the library is for being quiet and she was anything but quiet.  We spent some time together and later, as I was checking out books; I helped her find a book on knitting.

That was the best trip I have ever had to the library!  Please do something for someone else tomorrow, and the next day and the day after.  Make a difference in someone else’s day.  It is positive energy to spread around!  Also, you leave feeling like you gained more than the person you gave to.  This sweet lady gave me so much joy!

In Gratitude,

Kimberly