Monday, January 17, 2011

'What are you doing for others?'

"We recognize our own mortality, and we are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this Earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame -- but rather, how well we have loved -- and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better." ~ President Obama, 1/12/11 speech at the Arizona memorial

I saw this quote on a fellow CF blogger's Facebook page last week, and I've reread it every day since. Regardless of your political stance, these truly are words to live by. Some days I am challenged. The kids are crabby, I'm crabby, everybody's crabby. The house is a mess, the dirty laundry pile is MUCH higher than the clean pile and the dog decides it's a great day to run away.....only to return home 3 hours later and take up puking all over the house for the NEXT 3 hours. Whatever. Everyone has those days. But I'll tell you what. Try reading that quote at least once a day, realizing it's context, and you'll strive to take those days in better stride. Trust me.

Today is a day set aside for service. Martin Luther King Jr once said "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'".....so, today, set aside a little time. A little time to serve others. A little time to love deeper. A little time to hug tighter. Take time to really think about who you love and how you love. Sometimes it's the smallest acts of service and kindness that add up to the greatest difference. I can tell you from personal experience, sometimes kind and encouraging words are all it takes.

2 comments:

  1. On a day when it's diarrhea every 30 minutes, and throwing up every 2 hours, it's definitely one of "those" days.

    Thank you for the encouraging words.

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  2. Awe, Teresa! Thanks so much for linking to my blog! I actually butchered that quote on my first attempt. I'm glad someone googled it for me. I have read and reread it since too...
    Love to you!

    ReplyDelete