The mandatory requirement to touch base with the company headquarters’ to update the central team about an ongoing project, lead to a lot between us colleagues to send one among us to the field office to give a review of the updates. Whether fortunate or not, the short straw was that of yours truly. So after a fortnight gap, the familiar route was taken and a lone figure saw itself at the main office waiting to clock in and touch base with the head office. For once, there was no hustling for the lift, a disarray of feet scrambling in to push the glass door across, punch in the codes and the like. With time on hands, it felt good to exchange a couple of words at the reception and interact live with another human face. Truth to be told, it felt real good to see another set of life-size smiling eyes behind the mask and exchange a flurry of words and compliments.
One of the things that this past couple of months have taught us is the precariousness of life and human relationships. In the hustle and bustle of the modern era, we not have just forgotten to smell the roses but also, to recognize their scent.
In the course of conversation, a pertinent thing that struck out was that many a time we never used to really connect with the other person. Each time one is running around the clock, short of time; we forget the little things done for us. When was the last time time we talked to the doorman who held the elevator for us in the morning rush or the colleague who had covered for us when the clock was ticking away ? Or the regular cafe server who had ordered the regular cup of joe in a jiffy ? Or the security guard who had guided one to the reserve the best parking space in the lot? While these things may seen quite small or inconsequential, they were the things that made the day bright. How many times did one thank or acknowledge the doers of these bright moments?
Sometimes all it takes is to appreciate someone for the little things that they had done. While it mayn’t seem to be a quite important thing then, later on looking back; these small little acts had helped to make a dull, tired or quiet day into a better or happier one.
“I drop kindness pebbles in still water everyday, and I watch the effect they have on other people’s lives. My favorite kindness pebbles are compliments.Drop a compliment and watch the ripple affect that it has in your life.” John A Passaro
To say an honest compliment or just lend a hand doesn’t take much effort. All it requires one is to pay attention to the world around them and note the little acts of kind gestures done right under our nose. Still on the page of sifting through memories, one incident that stuck in the mind was seen during my initial days at work. Throwing an office fundraiser for the local town, in the wake of the floods; we had to put in an impromptu garage sale and a variety show. A chance encounter resulted in one of the daughters’ of our building security employees displaying her art work. With her beautiful oil work on canvas being a quick sell, her talent got noticed by the local art school who had later sponsored her to the art school she goes to today. Those paintings had graced the walls then, only because her father had shown her work and was duly encouraged to make them a part of the venture then. Those kind and meaningful gesture had lead to a chain of events, lighting the lives of others and changing them into new turns.
“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.” Germany Kent
When the chance ever strikes, no matter how busy one is; to just take a minute and render a n appreciation or simple compliment, would result in an array of smiles. Learning to appreciate others’ is how one experiences happiness in their lives. One never realizes how much one may miss out on them. Not taking one person around us for granted is important. For just as we appreciate those around us; the same goes when we are appreciated too. To make small but significant difference in another lives, is something more priceless that no money or material wealth can solely replace. Pass on the chain and share the greetings and smiles with the feeling of warmth in the daily world around us.
Sugar And Spice... Among Other Things 