Happy New Year!

What a cool date today is: 1-1-11.

This year will bring my 40th birthday! I guess not all women are excited about that idea, but I enjoy everything about my opportunity to grow older. (Except that for the first time ever, I found a gray hair. Guess if I hadn't been highlighting and coloring my hair since 7th grade, I'd have discovered one way before now, but that's another blog.) I welcome each year with promise and wouldn't trade any of my wisdom or experience to relive an earlier decade. When I think back about the girl I used to be, I get sort of a "Bless her little heart" nostalgia. I've always tried to give people the benefit of the doubt right away. Life has taught me you can't do that. Like my husband says, I've honed my "BS-o-Meter" a little better. I listen to my gut a lot more, and surprisingly it's been a fairly accurate measure.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I really don't and I'm not sure why. I do like the idea that you can take inventory of your life, so to speak, and make conscious decisions for improvements. For example, something I've tried to do differently in my life is compliment people more. Have you ever been talking to someone and in mid-sentence notice something totally unrelated--their hair looks great, they smell good, they have a beautiful smile--but you don't tell them? Maybe in a group setting, someone mentions a mutual acquaintance or friend, then everyone tells something wonderful they like about that person, but never TO that person? Why?? How wonderful would that make you feel to get a sincere compliment on something insignificant? How nice would it be for someone to tell you their favorite personality trait about you? What if someone out of the blue how your day has been?
These are all things that don't cost a dime but can add so much richness to another's day. When I shop, I always ask the cashier, "Have you had a good day so far?" Sometimes it really catches them off guard; others seem to have an answer right away, but the point remains: someone cared enough to ask them how they were doing. I tell the lady at the power company how sweet she always is--because she is.
There is a cashier at WalMart (of all places) that has the best attitude and smile everytime I'm in her line--and I make sure she knows that I notice and that she makes my shopping trip nicer. I like seeing the sparkle a kind word can bring to a face. Funny, but I think I get more out of it that they do.

My faith and confidence in who I am is rooted firmly in Jesus Christ. The Lord designed and wired my being to be the best ME I can be. I want to be part of His plan to share love. There are many negative things in this world, so I'm sure not needed on that team. I want my light to shine and I want to impart good feelings on all the people that I meet in my life. No one can do what I can do; I cannot do what is meant for others. Still, how beautiful when we edify each other!

So, I encourage you to accept this new year's challenge: be the kindest, most thoughful person others will meet today. That begins with your family! Tell them what you admire in them; what you love about them; what their strengths are. Believe in them. Then, as you go about your day, consider the strangers around you.
You never know how one kind word or smile from you can lift them up. Maybe just when they'll need it most. After a while, it just becomes a natural part of who you are. You will be a light to people around you, but you end up with the ultimate prize: a heart that is most full. As my lifetime best friend always says: "My cup runneth over."

love,

Dana