To be honest life can be a real crock of shit sometimes. Not necessarily because things are bad but more because we are feeling buried by life’s conditions. As many others have said before me, “the majority of our fears and worries never come to pass.” I have found that staying in the present gives me perspective to focus on what I can control (alternatively not the things I can’t control.) Staying in the present helps me let go of the worries, fears, and rabbit holes I fall in. Whenever I go for a walk I try to look for things to observe and smile about. My own positive sprinkles to put in my pocket for when I need them.
While out on my last walk. I discovered this display at an apartment complex. As soon as I discovered I had to stop and take it all in. It was a moment of deep gratitude and appreciation. The display put the biggest smile on my face as I took it all in and looked for the little details. The fall flowers were complimented beautifully by the decorative fall leaves and berries. The pumpkin was the center piece with a kind message scrawled on it. It really was the brightest spot on the entire street. Imagining the unknown stranger putting it together and setting it up made me smile as an added bonus.
Long after I walked down the street and continued on my way I thought about the display. When the homework and bedtime drama started I thought about the display. It brought a much needed smile to my face as I went through the motions.
It is easy to overlook the things we do as just things we do. But in this case the display is a gift that keeps giving for me. A decoration we put out might be the thing that a stranger needed to see that day. A wave at a car as we cross the street might be the show of kindness the driver needed to brighten their world. A patient moment might be the remedy our child needed to counteract the stress of the school day. A kind word or small talk with the cashier might be the one thing that turns their entire day around. Walking your dog (while going about your day) might be that thing a stranger looks forward to because they miss their dog from long ago.
Everything we do has a ripple effect that we don’t realize. And the ripples don’t just stop with the receiver but go beyond them too. Be kind. Be patient (well try, the effort really counts.) Spread love. The world needs more of it and do we.
That display was the extra push I needed to stop spiraling down my rabbit hole of anxiety.
[…] thought came to me as I was admiring a display made by someone near the Public Library. I had just left the library where I was pleasantly […]