I See You!

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! What an exciting day this is…it is magical if only we will have the hearts to feel it! 😊

Last week I had the privilege of serving as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer! I want to encourage you, if you ever get the chance to serve as a Bell Ringer, please take it. If your experience is anything like mine, it will bless you beyond measure! 😊

From the moment I got there I made up my mind that I was going to greet literally every single person that walked past me, refusing to ignore even one. Everyone received either a “Good morning, Ma’am” or a “Good morning, Sir” and a smile. That simple. And in the two hours I stood there ringing that bell, I had exactly one person that did not reply.

Now, let me tell you what I found. I saw all kinds of different people. Some were old and some were young. Some looked excited and cheerful while others looked like they were having a very bad day. Some had on really nice clothes, and some had worn and tattered clothes. Some had a countenance that was peaceful while others looked as though they were carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Regardless, each one received a cheerful “Good morning” and a smile to go with it. And you know what I got in return? 99% of the time it was a “Good morning” and a beautiful smile. Not surprisingly, those who looked the most discouraged lit up and offered the most beautiful smiles when they heard my voice and saw my smile. It is really not hard, Friends…😊

As I left, my spirit soaring, I reflected on the blessings I had seen and received. I couldn’t help but think back to the story I had heard, and I believe I shared in a previous Happy Friday, about the struggles of being homeless. A homeless person had stated that the hardest part of being homeless is not being without food or shelter, in wearing tattered clothes or having no place to shower. No, the homeless person stated that the toughest part of being homeless is being invisible. So often people will not look at homeless people when they walk by…they simply look away hoping the homeless person does not talk to them. And yet all they want, all that any of us want, is to be seen. To know that somebody sees us and that we matter. And that is literally all I did as I stood in front of the Wal-Mart, ringing the bell…I saw them. No matter their race, religion, political affiliation, job status, title, etc. I saw them as a person, and therefore someone incredibly valuable, and worthy of a friendly greeting. Again, not hard…😊

And as affirmation that I was supposed to write this message for this Happy Friday, I was listening to Kurt Warner, the Hall of Fame Quarterback and subject of the movie “American Underdog”, on the Ed Mylett Show podcast yesterday while working out. Kurt was explaining that he and his wife have a rule for their children when going out to eat. Their kids are required to look the server in the eye when ordering. And how do they know if they did or not? They have to tell Kurt and his wife the color of the servers’ eyes. I smiled. Such a simple idea, and meaningful habit, that screams, “I see you!” 😊

Tomorrow many of us will share gifts with loved ones, striving to make sure they know how much we love them. Here is the thing, we don’t have to spend tons of money or strive to come up with the “perfect” gift to show our love. If only we will look into their eyes, be fully present, and see them for who they are, where they are – to truly value and appreciate them just because they are who they are! That is the “perfect” gift, it is the gift of you, and it will touch a heart deeper than any shiny new thing that will one day be old, outdated, and fade. 😊 And, this is a gift that can be given – should be given! – to every precious soul you cross paths with today! You can look them in the eye, say hello, and smile…and in that moment you will give that person the greatest gift one human being can give another – you will let them know you see them and that they matter! 😊

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, a Merry Christmas, please cherish your precious families, and please stay well! 😊

Kev