Just One

Hey y’all,

This morning I was at Starbucks (shocker- I know), and I nearly had a meltdown in the middle of the coffee shop. Thank God it was 5:30 in the morning and there was no one in here but the baristas. I came in to work on a project that I have due soon, only to realize that I have somehow lost the paper explaining what is expected of me on this project. I did not have instructions or guidelines or a rubric or anything besides my very poor memory.

Shortly after my world came falling apart, one of the baristas came and handed me a chocolate croissant thing. I do not know what it actually called but it’s probably something along the lines of “little piece of heaven” or something like that. After handing me the breakfast item and calling my sweetheart, she took my cup to get me a refill without me even having to ask. And if I was not emotional before, I sure as heck was now.

It is mind- blowing how one little act of kindness can change your day. One person can make such a difference in your attitude. One smile or gesture or croissant.

It is inspirational really. The fact that although the barista may not have even known my struggles, but cared anyways. And who knows, that chocolate croissant could have been ordered and then cancelled and they had nothing else to do with it- hence why she gave it to me. She could have been throwing it out because of it’s expiration date or something. It may not have really been for me, but what if it was!

And because she gave me a complimentary item, I am now inspired to go and do good in someone else’s day. A stranger made me happy, so why not return the favor and make another person happy? That may inspire them to do the same for someone else, and so on and so forth! This barista made me smile and made me forget about my troubles for a moment. She had a positive influence on my attitude and morning, and I can potentially be the positive influence on someone else’s morning.

So today I challenge you to be the one. Be the smile someone needs to see. Be the kind gesture that makes someone forget about their troubles. It only takes one.

AléMae

Positively Outgoing

Hey y’all,

Have you ever experienced one person’s outgoing nature having such a positive influence on your day or week or life choices?

This week I took a huge step outside of my comfort zone and went someplace new all alone. I never go anywhere alone (except Starbucks); I don’t know why I feel the need to have someone with me all the time, but I do. And my whole world was flipped upside down after going to this place all by myself.

And to be honest, I almost cried- multiple times. BUT, thanks to one very outgoing person, I didn’t, and this experience turned out to be a very positive one.

One of the great thing about outgoing people is that a lot of them do not filter what they think before they say it. And although that can potentially cause a world of trouble, it can also do the world some good. While I was outside of my comfort zone, this one very outgoing person- who did not even know me- invited me to go eat with the group of people I was with. It was odd and unexpected, yet so needed. That invitation opened a door.

That one invitation turned into me returning to the venue within a matter of days. And upon return, I ran into that same outgoing person once again, who again invited me to go out to eat with the group. And another door was opened as I began to converse with different people in the group and make connections with others.

While this event in my life may seem mediocre to some, hear me out. I was all alone. I was nervous, kind of scared, and a bit intimidated. And then, suddenly, completely out of the blue, I made a friend. It was magical in a way. I did not know this person or their intentions or anything, yet I was drawn to them. And it was simply because that person made me feel included. Invited. Wanted. Part of the group.

You see, while it may been viewed as odd or weird or even dangerous that a stranger invited me to eat with this group of unfamiliar faces, how else is one to make friends? I have found that some of the best friendships come from the strangest circumstances. Looking back on the experiences of this past week, it is that one outgoing person that I am thankful for the most. Not the person that invited me to the venue to begin with, and not even the person that sat beside me (although I AM ever so appreciative of them), but rather, the face in the crowd with an outgoing personality that made me feel accepted.

I encourage you this week to be that person. Say hello and start a conversation. Take an interest in someone’s day. Invited that newbie to eat with your “squad.” Be the positive difference to someone who needs it.

AléMae