A few minutes ago, my phone rang. The caller asked for someone who lived in my house many years ago. I happened to have that person’s current number. After reassuring myself that the caller was someone that my former housemate would want to hear from, I shared the current number.
The caller repeated the number back to me, and then said, “Thank you. You are a wonderful human being.”
I laughed in surprised delight. I felt an energy, generous and loving, wash over me. “Thank you,” I replied. “You are a wonderful human being, too.”
I didn’t know this person, but I’m sure that what I said to him was true. He could have just said thank you, but he offered me a gift of blessing, a blessing to a stranger.
Wouldn’t it be great if we took simple encounters with people and turned them into blessings?! I’m going to try it.
I’ll start with you. Thank you for being here. You are a wonderful human being.
related post: Make Someone's Day
I suppose you already know that I appreciate the heck out of you, so I'll pass it along to someone else today (and tomorrow, and so on...) It IS always a pleasant surprise when someone takes an extra few seconds to let you know they appreciate you, it's rare but on the increase :)
ReplyDeleteJulie, Yes, I do know that, but it's always nice to hear. Thank you. Enjoy passing the blessing along to others. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteOh, wow, yes!!! Greeting others with a blessing, not simply a thank you. What an amazing encounter, Galen. Thanks for sharing, being here, as a wonderful human being! :)
ReplyDeleteMartha, I know. What he said was so amazing. I might have said thank you or that was a nice thing to do, but his bold statement was so wonderful! Thanks for your enthusiastic comment!
DeleteAs a woman from Houston called to me, as we were leaving a restaurant there, "Y'all have a great time on y'alls trip!" She had unlocked the door and let us in to order after the restaurant closed.
ReplyDeleteShe is a wonderful human being!
Linda, That is a great story! She is indeed a wonderful human being! And being from the South myself, I love all the y'alls. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThank you! I've missed your blog!
ReplyDeleteKim, Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you stopped by.
DeleteThank you for being you and writing this post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kaylin!
DeleteIsn't that wonderful, Galen? How easy it is to make someone's day!
ReplyDeleteYou do know that I think you're a wonderful human being too! ♥
Corinne, It is easy. All we have to do is remember to do it! Thanks for the kind words and for your comment.
DeleteAt our church study group, the current book we are reading is An Altar to the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. The author has a chapter on how we can encounter others by fully acknowledging them. Your post provides another reminder that there are so many ways we can love our neighbors and so many ways we can acknowledge each other. Thanks for your insightful words!
ReplyDeleteJeanette, That sounds like a great book. I like that term--fully acknowledging. That is exactly what this caller did. What could have been a perfunctory thanks became a genuine and generous connection. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteAn honest smile, an offered hand, sympathetic words given in a soft tone of voice. Shared laughter works too! It's important not only to have generosity in your heart, but to practice giving attention and empathy at every opportunity. It also gets easier with practice. In my case, it's a tonic that heals and transforms the anger I manifest too quickly.
ReplyDeleteYou've been so generous in this space and in your book. That love must surely be magnified in the life you live off the page. It's a gift to have you as a friend.
Mikey, Bless your sweet heart. What a lovely comment. Thank you so very much. You have mentioned your anger before, but I see you as a person who gives so much. Your work with training assistance dogs takes such patience and love. So obviously you have lots of ways, like the ones you mentioned, to deal with the anger. Your friendship is a gift to me, too. Thank you.
DeleteA nice moment to cap your morning. I'm going to pass it on to someone else this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteTom, That's wonderful. And I bet it will get passed on from there. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteCompletely agree with your caller, Galen. And I agree with you. I enjoy doing this and am always delighted at the reaction! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteVidya, You are the queen of this kind of spontaneous generosity. You spread sunshine every day. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI like this. That was indeed a wonderful thing for that stranger to tell you, and a wonderful thing for you to pass along to us. I plan to look for ways to pass it on, too. Isn't it funny how often we probably think about these things--how wonderful someone is, how nice, how kind--but how often we hold back and don't verbalize it?
ReplyDeleteTina, So true. I don't know why we just don't blurt out these words of recognition and appreciation. We are so quick to say something critical. We can work to reverse that pattern! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteSo simple, isn't it! Let's keep the ball rolling.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, my friend! Thanks for your comment.
DeleteAlthough you have written this post a few days ago, I find it coincidental that I should be reading it today. Today seems to be Friendship Day for I was taken by surprise when my girlfriend decided to share on Facebook about how blessed she felt due to our friendship. I felt humbled by her acknowledgement because I have always been in awe of her. In the process, her words also reminded me to always share and verbalise the appreciation I have for those around me. May I take the opportunity to thank you for the light that you are and having made a difference to my life, Galen!
ReplyDeleteEvelyn, Great timing! The universe never ceases to amaze me in that and other ways. Thank you so much for your very kind words. Thanks to you as well for the light your shine in the world.
DeleteI love the picture and it fits well with the thoughts. Yes, I loved this one. If we all could just love each other and give thanks for each wonderful human being that we meet. It is a great start to be one that gives thanks to those special human beings that surround us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings for these thoughts!
Thanks, LeAnn. I'm always so happy when you stop by. Blessings to you, too, my friend.
DeleteGalen, what a wonderful idea! And, how much brighter everyone's day would be if everyone focused on doing this. Not only does it make the receiver feel good, but it leaves the one giving feeling good as well. Love this! And going to make a conscious effort throughout my day to give blessings to everyone I come in contact with :) Bless you, my friend, for the wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteMary, I know your day is going to be a blessing to you and to those you bless! Thanks so much for commenting.
DeleteGalen, just had to share...after reading this, my sister and I had to go out. I was exiting a building and held the door for a man that was headed toward me. I smiled at him and said "God Bless you and have a wonderful day". He didn't say a word, just gave me a weird look. It's sad to think that 'being nice' to someone leaves them feeling strange. It shouldn't be a rarity, it should be a normality :)
DeleteMary, That does make you wonder! Thanks for sharing your story.
DeleteGalen, such small actions can make such a big impact on people's lives. What if every encounter was a holy encounter :) ? I try hard to keep that in mind when interacting with strangers and friends. Some appreciation, a thank you or simply acknowledging someone can make their day and their week!
ReplyDeleteThere have been critical moments in my life when some good will of a stranger was encouraging and kept me in pursuit of a particular goal, dream. We don't know how much small actions can encourage and inspire others.
THank you for being here too and this wonderful space of inspiration :)
Vishnu, That's true. I can remember things that someone did for me that had a big impact on me, and I bet they don't even remember it!
DeleteAnd I think every encounter IS a holy encounter!
Thanks for commenting.
This is amazing!
ReplyDeletesmall things matter a lot!
A greeting with a stranger which turned to be a surprise!