It was that time again to stock up the pantry and fridge, so I meandered through the grocery store, strolling up one aisle and down the next until everything on my list was checked off. When I was standing in line with a full cart for just a few minutes, I noticed the man behind me holding only two items in his hands. “Would you like to go ahead of me?” I offered.
“Oh, no thank you. I’m fine.” He replied.
“No, really. I don’t mind waiting.” I insisted, so he humbly accepted. While he paid for his items, I read a new text from my husband that just pinged. When I looked up, the man was finishing the transaction.
“Thanks again for your kindness,” he said to me, while gently tossing a $50 bill that I watched float through the air as in slow motion, landing on my loaf of bread! “Oh, my gosh! I can’t accept that!” I was shocked to see the money in the first place, but then realizing it was a $50 bill had me flabbergasted!
“Please, take it. Your kindness has renewed my faith in humanity.” He gently enforced and literally sprinted out of the store, vanishing in seconds. I stood there with Darlene, the checker staring back at me, the biggest smile brightening her face, both of us amazed at the man’s equaled kindness and generosity. She told me to accept the gift, so my first thought was to pass it onto her. Darlene was friendly and so kind, making each customer feel like the most important person in the world, exuding true customer service. And yet, she was not allowed to accept cash gifts. So, I reluctantly slipped the fifty into my purse, waves of shock still rippling through me as I exited the store.
There is no barometer in measuring the value of kindness, but it is apparent that kindness comes in all forms, and I can’t wait to pay it forward to reaffirm this generous man’s faith in humanity.
The holiday break has been wonderful spending time with family, and I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, as well. As we’re about to ring in and clink to a new year, I’m sharing some wisdom from an older post…thoughts to ponder as we decide what changes to make for the next twelve months. Are we going to do things the same way and expect different, better outcomes? Or are we going to make necessary changes so that the outcomes reveal the hopes we hold?
I haven’t made resolutions, but I am in the middle of working on a new poetry collection that will be released in the spring. And a few more book ideas simmer on the horizon, too. There’s nothing like creative projects to keep our minds busy in that feel-good mode. So, I will welcome 2023 with open arms, excited for new possibilities. Below is that wisdom I mentioned…it’s all about finding and keeping a balance…
BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE:
The most destructive habit………Worry
The greatest joy………………..Giving
The greatest loss….Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work…..Helping Others
The ugliest personality trait…..Selfishness
The greatest “shot in the arm”…….Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome……Fear
The most effective sleeping pill……..Peace of Mind
The most crippling failure disease……..Excuses
The most powerful force in life……….Love
The most dangerous act…..Gossip
The world’s most incredible computer….The Brain
The worst thing to be without…………Hope
The deadliest weapon………………………..The Tongue
The two most power-filled words………I Can!
The greatest asset………………….Faith
The most worthless emotion……….Self-pity
The most beautiful attire……………Smile
The most prized possession………………Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication…..Prayer
The most contagious spirit…………..Enthusiasm
LIFE ends when you stop DREAMING.
HOPE ends when you stop BELIEVING.
LOVE ends when you stop CARING.
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ~ C.S. Lewis
Wishing you all a safe and fun celebration and a very Happy New Year!
Comments are closed, but I look forward to seeing you all in 2023! I’ll return some time in January.
Yesterday, I met a friend for breakfast, and then we took a walk through downtown and the neighborhood. We both were struck by the beauty and uniqueness of this sign that is not uncommon to any of us. So, below are thoughts that came to mind in the form of haiku:
when children are near absorb their laughter, the joy flowing into you
snails teach with their wise leisure movements, taking in beautiful backdrops
slow down your travels do not let decades escape catalogue moments
pause in your footsteps regard life’s celebrations breathe in their fragrance
Light follows darkness like earth shadows the sun, but its timing, fickle unlike morning’s entrance each day. Thus, if gloom lurks within arm’s reach, keep courage nearby, for the great cheerleader of grit will spot that beam displaying hues so vivid, bursting with something larger than we can imagine and can’t exist without for a contented ride. It takes digging deep into the depths of our souls to unearth the chief spark of all notions, shimmering, welcomed… Hope.
Sometimes, we find ourselves walking in the wrong directionat a good clip, so preoccupied thatthe gapin the pavementtrips us, tumbling us in. Darkness seizes. Uncertaintyand fearjoin in the huddle.Our bodies paralyzed by fear’s powerful grasp.But thoughts penetrate in the depths of our minds, how strength has always been a constant in our lives where weakness only an acquaintance. So, with great mental bandwidth, our fingers grip eachlittle crevice of gloom like a seasoned rock climber. We move, inching upward, finding ourway out as darknessbegins to dim,andrays from the biggolden ball in the sky warm our shoulders. We revel in our accomplishment, never again underestimating our capabilities, as we joyfully hold the future in our hands.
Enjoy your weekend, Feel empowered, and a Big Thanks to all of you for reading, liking, and commenting throughout the years. Lauren Scott (c) ❤️ Strength photo: Google
It’s been so long since rain touched down in our region that we’ve forgotten what it sounds like when it falls in droves or when those raindrops touch the roof. But yesterday, we were reminded once again, and the sound was lovely. No wind, no storm, no messiness. Raindrops fell lightly and consistently, all day long, just the soft pitter patter soothing the flora. The blades of grass and blooms with their friendly faces that wish to brighten our days sighed with relief. They were immersed in droplets of hope, and so were we. This precipitation was a welcomed surprise just before Easter.
Today is Good Friday in the Christian religion: a day of commemorating Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Thus, a day of grief, penance, and for some, a day of fasting. Then Easter follows on Sunday, a holiday for celebrating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. On this day, I wish you an abundance of peace and comfort.
For Easter, I decided to do some baking, so I pulled the recipe card out of my recipe box for my mom’s sugar cut out cookies. I have wonderful memories of baking with her when I was a young girl. I continued that tradition with my daughter and son, but now that they live on their own, I bake solo. In the past, I’ve used Cross cookie cutters for Easter, but this time I bought some that are fun for both spring and Easter.
My faithful red hand mixer has treated me well, so no need for a giant mixer in my kitchen. Butter, white sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and baking powder waited for their cue. Once the cookies were baked, I mixed up creamy buttercream frosting: more butter, powdered sugar, a little milk, and vanilla, and voila! So good! When the cookies were cool, I frosted them then I added colored sprinkles for decoration. Some bakers paint their cookies, but I like to sprinkle. And here’s what my kitchen looked like:
Bunnies, flowers, butterflies, and chicks! What more do we need, except, Love, Love, Love?! Oh, and do you see those white carrots with the green tops or fronds, as they are called? Well, I forgot orange sprinkles, so they turned into white carrots. Yes, white carrots do exist and they’re called, Arracacha, an Andean root vegetable. My son said that the carrot cookies look like feet. I didn’t see that then, but I can see it now. 🙂
I wish you a wonderful weekend ahead. And if you celebrate Easter, I wish you warmth for a wonderful day, and joy and rejuvenation this new season of spring brings.
Contrary to my poem on climate change a couple weeks ago, “The Effects”, I found a trail of spring on a recent morning walk. Even though we’re still in dire need of buckets of raindrops, the blooms I saw rejuvenated my steps. I felt inspired because of their beautiful representation of rebirth, exactly what this lovely new season is all about. They didn’t mind posing for a quick photo op, so would you like to join me for a second time around on the trail?
And now, a little more about Nature herself…
Her Offerings
Harmony lives in each flow of a breeze In each gentle embrace of evergreens The clear blue enchantingly shields Let nothing stay concealed.
Blooms tender their affable smile Leaves listen in for awhile Birdsong soothes the whirling mind A landscape perfectly designed.
Nature’s lessons are plentiful Shall our choices be flexible? We are not ignorant to her offerings Receive them for relief of suffering.
A painting of beauty and brilliance Mesmerizing even in distance Can you deny the splendid view? Allow serenity to fall into you.
(From my book, “More than Coffee:Memories in Verse and Prose”)
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 