Motivation to Live
I want to talk about this.
When I was at my worst as a teenager -- depression, frightened, going to functions, but hiding in empty rooms and afraid to participate -- there was a woman who took notice of me.
She was one of those sorts that people look at and turn away from. Kind of moved like a mouse, kind of looked unkempt, kind of looked like she didn’t and wouldn’t ever amount to much.
But kind. She’d smile, and say hello. And wouldn’t say much else, but she would do that much. I think she liked the teenagers. Or maybe she just hung around in that place.
One day, she handed me the ugliest, worn, chewed up little smurf toy. The kind with clippy hands. And on its hands was a torn piece of paper, with this note:
"To Shy Girl: Make a life you love looking back on."
It still makes me tear up. Possibly one of the greatest, kindest, most wonderful gestures I can remember from my childhood.
Tiny things matter, they really do. Tiny things can save a life. And kindness is undervalued.
She has no idea.
I pray that I can always be kind and helpful to others like that. Look and really see people, and find tiny little ways to be helpful to them. I want to be the sort of person that notices… People like her. Who probably could have used a kind word herself.
So a tiny shout-out to little heroes out there who just look, and see, and take notice… Then do. Whatever you can. Thank you isn’t enough.