How amazing that one person’s poignant gesture can make such a difference. May we ask God to bless another through us each day. Here’s a story by Paul Kotz:
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A year ago . . . I bought lunch at one of my “go to” places and the woman behind the counter dished out the special for the day. She smiled, and mentioned as she scooped chicken and potatoes out of the pan, that she still has the short letter I gave her displayed on her fridge.
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At the time, she seemed to be struggling and asked me, “Do you ever get tired of the daily grind of life? What do you do when you need a change?”
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Her usual optimism, concern for others and superior customer service hit a roadblock that day, due to some problem with supply ordering and an employee conflict.
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I didn’t really answer her question, but took a different approach.
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So, in a short note, the next morning in search of a coffee, I affirmed these qualities that I admired and gave her a note that said, in no uncertain terms that she had value to all of us, and we are grateful to have her in our midst at breakfast and lunch opportunities.
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Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
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It sure doesn’t hurt to know you do something right each day.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we could be.”
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So if Emerson is right, we just want at least one person who can see our potential or existing gifts.
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There are so many people that do not see the joy and goodness they bring to the table of life every day.
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An affirmation may be all they need to get back on track.
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Dr. Kotz is a lifelong learner with education and business expertise. This includes working as faculty and advisor with undergraduate, graduate students and since 2013, in a doctoral program in leadership. Kotz has taught and served as an executive coach to graduate students and business professionals; and has assisted high school students in navigating adolescence..
In 2020, he published Profiles in Kindness – an award winning CIPA/Reader’s Choice Award for motivation & inspirational leadership. In 2018, he released the CIPA Award winning Something Happened Today, addressing seeing the goodness in everyday life even in the face of adversity. In 2014, he published Personality, Gender and Learning Styles for students and practitioners. His newest book is Start Late – Finish Happy. He is a resident of Saint Paul, Minnesota and continues to collect new experiences that shape and challenge his perspectives..
Please check out Paul’s delightful books on his Amazon Author Page. (These would be such welcome gifts for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.)
He has narrated several winsome stories on Our American Stories, which you may find here.
Very inspiring! These books sound awesome!!! 🙂
Paul finds himself in such interesting stories. It’s his reactions to them that are so uplifting!
Linda – Let me know if I can send you one. Your choice!
Thank you for sharing the information for Dr. Kotz. He’s right-we as humans thrive with positive feedback and he appears to be blessed with the talent to inspire!
He certainly is! He seems to draw people to him in the most unusual circumstances, but also just every-day ones. He’s amazed with it, and we’re amazed at how he deftly and charmingly handles things.
Joy – Thanks for being a supporter and kind-hearted author and soul!
Paul, you make it so easy! God bless you.
Nancy – Let me know if I can help in any way!
It’s always good to read a life affirmation–and kindness does go a long, long way!
Amen
Liz – Let me know if I can help in any way!
Thanks, Paul!