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Copyright © Louis Schmier and Atwood Publishing.
Date: Thu 5/6/2004 5:00 AM
Random Thought: What A Humble Day!
Well, it's the end of the semester. Those very uneducational
final grades are almost in. Tomorrow afternoon, Susan and I fly to San
Francisco for a bunch of grand-daughter spoiling days. But, I'm already
soaring higher than any plane can fly. Some students gave me a gift two
days ago that left me breathless and silent. From now on, each time I
take a sip of coffee on campus I will be reminded that there is nothing,
nothing, that can energize you more, that can lift you higher, that can
give you deeper satisfaction, that can give you a greater sense of
service, that can make a greater difference, that can give you a greater
sense of accomplishment than knowing you're lifting another and making a
difference in another's life.
Whatever I had done was not one of those occasional sweeping or
grand moments. From evaluation after evaluation, the students revealed
that it was the unexpected, almost matter-of-fact little things that had
mattered and had such a great impact. It's the things that you don't
think about that they think about, that you think don't mean much that
mean so much. And strangely, those things are a resource at your
fingertips that don't take much energy or time, that never get used up,
that grow as you use them, that even grow stronger and brighter as you
draw from them: a slight smile, a little gesture, a bubble of enthusiasm,
a momentary twinkle, a single jump for joy, a few seconds of time, a
glimmer of light, a morsel of patience, a word of encouragement, a wink of
faith, a small gesture of love, a small act of kindness, a bit of
sensitivity, a slight caring touch, a small hand. It's the caring and
loving human touch that so often proves to be far more than a mere touch.
Sure, we should dream big dreams, but the payoff of big dreams
come in the every day moments, simple moments, almost unthinking moments,
almost imperceptible moments, and easily forgotten moments. No, there is
nothing common about what on the surface appears so commonplace. There is
nothing usual in what seems so usual. It's humbling when you realize that
all these little things make such a big difference, when you understand
that these ordinary moments are special treasures of untold value, when
you see how truly glorious, memorable, and magnificent each is. And when
you do, it's impossible not to put such incredible power into such
valuable service. And then, and only then, will you be gilting each day
into a golden, glistening day of difference, change, growth, and
transformation for both another and you.
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