1.01.2011

Happy January!




The dawn of a new year sends me on a melancholy trip each year, generally negative in nature. This year, I thought I'd try putting a positive spin on it. Do you ever think about that, in the grander scheme of things? The Pygmalion Effect, a form of self-fulfilling prophecy, where people with poor expectations internalize their negative label, and those with positive labels succeed accordingly. These expectations can be changed with one stunning act of kindness and one that might have been so insignificant to the giver, but life changing, or at the very least, thought provoking to the recipient. Anyhooo...

There was a particular event that happened to me recently that started me down this philosophical path. (Think: It's a Wonderful Life) A couple of weeks ago, I was having a really bad day. You'll have to trust me when I say bad, I'm talking REALLY.BAD.DAY. Anyway, I trudged to my mailbox. Along with the regular depressing bills and junk mail was a box. A priority box. Addressed to me. From whom, I did not know. Based on the day I was having, the thought DID cross my mind that something BAD was in the box, but I dismissed that idea pretty quickly. I mean, who would do that? Send something BAD in a priority box? I was really hoping the post office had done their job and asked this person if there was anything hazardous, liquid or perishable in that box. :-D

By the time I got in the house to open the box, and as it was close to Christmas, I had drawn of crowd of excited people... "who's it from? who's it for? what is it?" I have to tell ya, I felt a little like a kid on Christmas Day. What WAS in the box? So I opened the box. And then I cried. Tears of joy. Not for the gift that was inside (although that was awesome!), but rather the THOUGHT that was invoked. Have you ever heard someone say "what a thoughtful gift." Or "it's the thought that counts." Have you actually ever stopped to think about what that means, in literal terms?

Here's what was inside of that priority box... (see! TOLD ya it was awesome! :-D )



And why do you think I took a pic of the gift? Yep, yep, I'm scrapping about it, and even kept the wrapping paper, since I think it's going to make FAB paper! But I could not take a photo of the REAL gift. Someone who I have never met in real life has been paying attention to ME, taking mental notes at all my Facebook comments and projects posted on my blog throughout the year and conversations on MBs. SOMEONE was paying attention and knew at which precise moment in time to send this truly thoughtful gift. I'm sure she had hoped to make me smile, or maybe her reasons were more selfish in nature. Maybe she's one of those people that really does think it is better to give than receive and it made her feel good. Either way, I'm pretty sure she wasn't expecting me to cry at the sheer THOUGHTFULNESS.

So, Amy Bender, thank you. I sat down and made you a thank you card, but it just seemed... thoughtless. A true random act of kindness you performed and although you had some idea it would make me happy, I could never express how much the thought inside that box, on that day, may have changed my life and the lives of the people in my life. THANK YOU.

And while I'm at the business of thanking friends, I want to thank my BFF. My BFF is one that I've never met in real life. 2011 will change that. We "met" over 3 years ago on a MB and have talked on the phone almost every day since. She brings out the best in me. She comforts me when I'm down and calls bullshit when I'm wrong. She's got the most sarcastic, wicked sense of humor. She possesses common sense and wisdom beyond her years. She "gets" me. She's got very big shoulders on which to cry and warm, loving arms with which to hug. We laugh, a LOT. We've created together, having our phone lines connected and on speaker, but total silence until one of us says, "let me send you this pic and you tell me what's missing." There's not a person alive that knows more about me than her. The bottom line is that I would do anything for her and she would do anything for me. If I called her up and said "I need you, right now" she'd be on her way. She's what I've always envisioned a sister being and I love her. So get ready Stace! I'm coming! Which she will say scares the hell out of her, but she loves me! :-D Thanks for all the things that you do every day. Seeing your number on my caller id still makes me excited, like a present to me, every day. I love you! :-)

I hope that you'll make someone's day by thanking them for a kindness. I know they would appreciate hearing it, even if they think they already know it. I'll be back soon with a photo heavy post with creations I've been working on for the Kitchen Keepsake crop coming up January 14th. Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate y'all! :-)

7 comments:

  1. *hugs hugs* to you, Suzanne! Love you lots even if from afar. I'm so glad to know that something I did that day has possibly made your life better, happier, and sunnier. YOU deserve the best that life can offer despite what nagging doubts linger in your head at times. YOU are the control of this destiny that you create. and YOU are such a fun and vibrant person! Keep that essence inside you and smile at some point each and every day! <3 :)

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  2. You lost me at "Pygmalion Effect"! j/k

    Happy New Year! Oh, and love the colors of your calendar page - so bright and cheery!

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  3. LOVE love love this blog entry; the calendar (how do you write on something so pretty?), your emotions, your prose! Thanks for sharing of yourself so candidly!

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  4. What an awesome post! Happy New Year & Happy Scrapping!!

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  5. Just beautiful Suzanne...I am so glad that such a small thing made such a huge impact on you that day...hugs XX

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  6. Beautiful & very inspiring! Thanks for sharing from the heart. I so admire people who are "real" & your transparancy inspires me quite often.

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