Being kind and saying good things can make a difference

    The other day a co-worker of mine at my day job was fixing a computer issue I had with my iPad.
    As we visited, he said, “You remember the time you stopped in my office and said, ‘have a great day.’”
     “I’ll never forget that,” he told me.
    He really appreciated that I took the time to tell him that. You never know when a kind word or deed can make someone’s day.
    I’m often telling people to have a good day or saying something about them being the best around. In fact, I have been doing it all my life.
    There is no reason to go around being sour. Folks these days have enough on their plates to also be carrying around an old sour attitude. That’s like climbing a mountain with a sack of weights strapped to your back.
    Folks might feel better if they’d get rid of the bad attitude, stop complaining and give it their best.
   I remind myself of that often. I have tough days on occasion and more than once, I’ve complained about a situation or been upset about whatever it was going on in life.
    Overall, I try to have a good attitude and face life’s challenges head on while working through it all. When people ask me how I am doing? I always tell them, “It’s the best day ever,” which often gets looks of surprise.
    It’s a lot better than telling them I’m having a rotten day or some other sour comment. Words make a big difference in our lives.
    I enjoy being in Facebook. Most days I share a funny joke and it often brings comments, shares and hopefully a few smiles. On the other hand, there are a lot of Facebook users who need to lighten up a bit. They need to have a cup of coffee or a Mountain Dew and take a break and a deep breath. Maybe a nap will help!
    Some folks get crazy belligerent, telling people off and getting into political name calling and blaming one party and the other. After making a post some time back about gas prices, I had a fellow call people stupid because they believed a different way. That is uncalled for and doesn’t solve one problem or provide a solution.
   This is my Facebook advice, no one is going to change another person’s political view or opinion based on a Facebook post or comment. Let’s get back to using the social medial outlet to share photos, milestones, birthday, anniversaries, awards and honors and be kind and lift each other to do great things in life.
    Like my co-worker, I too enjoy hearing a kind word.
    A few years ago I was enjoying lunch at a Grinnell eatery, when a young girl and her mother stopped at my table to visit. The young girl was smiling as she shared about the ribbons she had won with her 4-H photography. I had taught a course in photography and this young girls had been in attendance. They stopped to thank me for my advice and help. And they’ve come to me in the years since for advice on photos. That’s nice and is much appreciated.
    And a couple years ago, I had a 4-H’er, now a young married adult, tell me that she got into photography because of me. I’m honored and thankful that I made a difference in her life.
   I leave you with this advice. My momma was a good woman and she and dad took me to church and taught me the importance of doing unto others as I would want them to do unto me. I’ve based my life on that principal and it’s made a difference.
   Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day and always.