How is it that I seem to trip on the air all too often— & while people are watching of course. Really though, I am so incredibly clumsy. This morning a perfect stranger gave me the best compliment though, “you walk with such grace and poise” he said. My response, said with a giggle after stumbling none-the-less, "thank you so much—I definitely don't hear that every day." The elderly man continued, "Possessing grace and poise does not always mean that you are graceful, but you are one of those people who have an energy that draws others near you. You may be clumsy, but we are blinded by your excellence and don't even notice those small moments".
This stranger, this kind man, left me speechless. This, if you ask my mother, is a miracle... I always have something to say. I thanked him & explained that there were no words to express my gratitude, but I left feeling dumbfounded. He made my whole day. He was able to look past my flaws & find something good in me. If more of us could follow his example I truly believe that the world would be a better place. Yes, cliche I know, but I don't know how else to describe what I am trying to say. If this stranger could make me feel so uplifted then I absolutely have to pay it forward.
We are all so quick to bring people down—why not lift them up instead? So from now on, if you notice an amazing quality in somebody, tell them, because they might not know it's there. They might just need you to speak it out loud. I know I did.
Loved this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! His name was Tom, and he was amazing.
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