a beautiful thing...

Mother Teresa in her  humble life of service talked about the power of simple acts. She once said that, “every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” As I read that quote I thought about an earlier blog in which I shared my experience with the cashier at Lowes and how she inspired me with a smile and a loving reminder to keep smiling! 

As my work week progressed, I reflected on the whole experience, and why it matters. In the past, this kind of reflection evokes memories that make me grimace, because those are actions I wish I could forget…times when I was too busy, too angry, too distracted, too inside myself to smile, or even acknowledge others. My ability and my courage to resist those paralyzing and discouraging thoughts was increased and strengthened by the dear lady in Lowes. Her words, “keep smiling” inspires to me to make a difference through simple acts. I am no longer a prisoner to the guilt of my past unkind acts. 

I understand more about what is important in this brief life. A scripture that I learned as a child comes to mind, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  It is more than words and deeds; it is who I am, how I see myself which is what others experience. Each day I strive to reflect the love shared with me, a beautiful thing, and I want to share it.