Don’t Wait!

Don’t wait! “Don’t wait for what?” – you might be wondering. The story that follows points out the importance of not waiting. A few years ago, I (Lynn) had been out of the office on a retreat with some colleagues. We had a great time together. There was a woman on the retreat who was such a bright spirit and I enjoyed her company whenever we were together. After the retreat, I asked her if I could stop in her office for just a minute. I told her she had a beautiful spirit and what a positive difference she had made in my life. I let her know she had also made a big difference in the lives of others. She was grateful and really happy to hear what I said and that made me happy, too. The next morning I was shocked to receive a message that she had passed away during the night from an asthma attack. She was only thirty years old. How sad – but I know her wonderful spirit still lives and the goodness she spread in the world also still lives. I was glad I didn’t wait to share how much I appreciated her. We are wondering, for you, are there messages that you are holding inside and not spreading? We encourage you – don’t wait until it’s too late! Get those messages out!

In addition to friends and family, are there co-workers or employees that you are grateful to for all the work and the other things that they do for you, but you haven’t expressed it to them? Often, people don’t leave jobs because they aren’t paid enough, they leave because they don’t feel appreciated enough.

When it comes to gratitude, Doug shares a quote by William Ward, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” When we heard that quote, we thought it was very powerful.

There are many special days, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day and other days where we remember, honor and show appreciation. Why can’t we be grateful and show our appreciation every day? Well, we can!

Maybe you’re feeling gratitude and you’re not expressing it. Do you feel like you’ve wrapped a present and you’re not giving it? We encourage you to spread gratitude and appreciation to those people who are around you. We can also express appreciation to other people who cross our paths in everyday life. As we make a difference in someone’s day, maybe they will also pass it on and it can make a difference in the world. You have a gift to give! The gift of your encouragement, appreciation and gratitude.

We decided to go out and talk to some people to see who they appreciate. We met Lisa Van Pelt who was shopping and running some errands. Even though she was busy, she took time to tell us that she is grateful for her husband, Ed, and her family and that her faith is very important to her. Then we met Gene Gagner, who has been a Chanhassen resident for forty years and is active in his church. He appreciates his wife, his four kids and his seven grandchildren who keep him very busy. In talking with both of these people, we recognized the common thread of the importance and appreciation of family and faith.

What about you? What is important to you and who do you appreciate? Don’t wait until it’s too late – the time to share it is now! We appreciate you and we would enjoy hearing from you.

Here’s a challenge: Take a few moments to think about people in your life who are important to you. This week, tell those people what they mean to you and how they make a difference in your life. Also, say a positive message to affirm some people you don’t know so well. Maybe it’s the person who gives you good service at the grocery store or the receptionist at a business you visit. Don’t wait! Make someone’s day! It will make your day, too!

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2017 WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com
Chanhassen residents Doug and Lynn Nodland are owners of The Balance Center. They can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com