Thursday, May 2, 2013

Thankful Thursday

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring......all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo F. Buscaglia

The quote's right on. It's amazing that a simple smile can be so incredibly powerful. 

We were hiking the trails and came to the top leading to the exit. A woman stood there, gripping onto a walker barely able to move her feet. I smiled and said hello. We started chatting. She told me she used to love going on the trails...seeing all the birds....breathing in the beauty of nature. Now she can't. 
 
I didn't ask what happened to her. I wondered if she had a MS. She wasn't old. She said she had been wishing her life would end but my smiling and taking the time to talk to her....changed her mind. 

This week grateful for.....

-big wide smiles from my girls when I pick them up from school or activities.
-smiles from strangers in the grocery store....on the streets..... anywhere and everywhere. 
-weather. love it. It feels incredibly good....makes me want to run....fly....sing. And makes everyone smile more.
-smiles from friends when we meet up for lunch or to hike or to spend time together.
-Mostly....that He touched me so incredibly that he turned all the bad into a reason to smile. lived angry and sad and lonely and broken. I am totally and forever grateful that He changed all that.  

10 comments:

Just Be Real said...

This is cool that you are talking about just what I have been doing more lately...."smiling." Something I rarely did in the past because of my pain.

It is so true, a smile does make a difference. Whether you giving it or on the receiving end. Hugs to you my friend.

Anna said...

So true! Great message!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I love that God placed you in the right place at the right time!

Sharon said...

Great message, Nikki. Never underestimate the power of a smile and a kind word. I always try in restaurants, or the market, or other places, to notice a person's nametag - and then to use their name in conversation.

You'd be surprised at the smiles I get back when I say something like, "How are you doing today, _____?"

:)

GOD BLESS!

Joy said...

i am so happy for you. Thanks God for you are having a good time with everybody.
By the way, I will be closing my other blog: willyouhearfromme.blogspot.com because I have problems making post there since I change my email address and user word. I created a new one: "joy's life": joysupsanddowns.blogspot.com. hope you can follow me there too:)

I have problems too with joysnotepad.blogspot.com because although I am making new entries, it won't show in my updates and in blogger. But I published them in google. I hope I can still solve the problem there.

Connie said...

Lovely post! It is surprising how much someone's day can be turned around for the better by just a smile from someone else. Hope you have a great weekend! :-)

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

"A smile is a little curve that straightens everything out."

What a great post, Nikki! I'm so glad that God took your mess and turned it into a message. I'm sure you made that lady's day. You not only made her feel good but yourself as well.

"A friendly look, a kindly smile, one good act, and life's worthwhile." Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Chatty Crone said...

Leo was all about love wasn't he - I think a touch - a good touch - would change many of lives. sandie

Crown of Beauty said...

I just love this post. It had me smiling all the way to the end. And I think that there was a huge smile on your face too while you were writing this.

You are so right. Smiles really make our day. Cheers us up.

On the train, walking to the train stations, I like to look at people and smile at them. Some of them give a puzzled look, a few smile back... others do not seem to notice. But, giving away a smile for free makes me feel good.

Have a great smiley day, Nikki.

Love
Lidia

Launna said...

This is beautiful Nikki, isn't it sad when we do live lonely, sad and angry... it's so good when we turn it around;)