Sometimes the unexpected happens. That can be a horrible thing - like a certain ordinary Tuesday in September several years ago when the world changed forever.
And sometimes an ordinary day can become special for no reason. For me, that was today.
First off, even though the weather remains remarkably miserable I am being successful at fighting off the depression that always threatens to overtake me.
Then the comments about the pic I posted yesterday - I can't tell you how much it means to me to get the compliments that were given to me. I truly was not expecting it! I wanted to make a point about the #LikeAGirl campaign - and I saw some small muscles surrounded by bat wings. So to know that you guys saw something different - I am choosing to believe the compliments are heartfelt and sincere and to just accept them - it's not easy for me.
But then the topper. I had to deliver something to an adjacent building today. A secretary in the office I had to bring the item to stared at me and then asked to see me in the hallway. I immediately assumed she had heard about my weight loss and wanted to talk to me about it.
Instead she told me that she didn't expect me to remember her but that we had met years ago when I was a counselor at the local jail. She told me her son had been incarcerated and that I had "saved his life". She then began crying and gave me a huge hug.
She told me his name and I remembered him. She shared that I had counseled him and got him out of jail and into a rehab and then filled me in on how great he is doing now.
I can't tell you how much that meant to me to hear this. I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I saved his life - I gave him an opportunity and he made choices to save himself! But too often in this line of work I only hear updates on people I have worked with when something bad happens. It was gratifying to hear a positive outcome!
I have been flying high all evening. Life is good right now!!
I haven't weighed in since my Superbowl pig out. Can I maintain my positivity after standing on the scale tomorrow?
Jen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blessing to hear first-hand that you had an amazing impact on someone's life, and the life of his family. You probably don't realize it, but you have an impact daily on the folks who login to read your blog. Sharing your struggles and successes, you impact OUR lives too.
We really don't often think about the connection we have to other people and how our influence (either positive or negative) can impact so many different people. It's a ripple effect, like a drop in a puddle. A small act of kindness can touch so many in the long term, just like an act of terrorism can touch so many for years to come. Our job is to try to make our drops (and ripples) as positive, uplifting, and light-filled as we possibly can.
Have a great day and be-damned that scale!!!