It's funny that sometimes something small will happen at just the right time, when you least expect it, but when you need it the most, that lifts your spirit and helps you keep going. I had that experience earlier this week. I was feeling pretty “down” at the time. Being called a liar while having lies told about you during a public, governmental meeting can tend to put a damper on a person's spirits on occasion, no matter how optimistic a person tries to be. I know that comes with the territory, but it still can sting a bit. That's what I found I was dealing with earlier this week. I won't dwell on the comments of the other parties, merely because they aren't worth the waste of ink. I'll just paraphrase the late Paul Harvey in a quote that was attributed to him: “White House occupants come and go. They are just like diapers. They should be changed often, and for the same reasons.” One could easily say the same for certain town council members.
While I was feeling “down,” the phone rang. It was a woman who had received her first copy of The Front Porch magazine and wanted to subscribe to that publication. For those of you who may not be familiar, The Front Porch is a quarterly magazine published by Greene Publishing, Inc. It is free to our subscribers and can be picked up at several locations around our area. This woman was very complimentary of the magazine and of the quality of the writing. One of my co-workers teased me a bit when I thanked the woman for the kind words and told her I was one of the writers for the magazine. I told my co-worker that I needed that little “pat on the back.” Of course, I can't take all the credit for the quality of our magazine. We have a number of very talented writers who contribute to the magazine's success.
My point is, you never know what a kind word can mean to someone. Since that day, I have made an attempt to pass along a bit of kindness to others whenever I am presented with an opportunity. Knowing how much it can mean to someone, even though I might not be aware of what kind of impact it might have on their day, I try to “spread a little kindness.” I may even find a way to pass along a kind word about certain town managers and council members who tell lies about me; although that may be a bit of a challenge.