I am going to begin by saying that when I saw this quote I immediately fought off sleep to come and blog about it. I want you to know, that you are great. Yes you. Sitting right there reading this. You're supposed to be reading for a reason.

  You may never know the impact you have on other's lives. You've heard me say this before, that the smallest thing you do, can have a lifelong impact on someone, and you may never know it.  What I'm gently reminding, okay screaming, at you is to act upon those little "sparks" you feel. The sparks that in 1/100th of a second tell you to reach out to a friend or a stranger. Be kind in all that you do, and who cares if anyone notices or not, the happiness that you will emulate will make you shine brighter than any diamond in this world.
  I had a saying for years, when someone would "thank me" for doing "something." I'd reply to their thanks by saying, "Please that was no big deal!" because it wasn't, I do things to be kind and good. I'd follow up by saying, "Besides you'd do the same thing for me wouldn't you?"
  Of course the person would agree, because most likely they would. A couple of days ago, I hit a brick wall. I need to change my thoughts. I will no longer say "Oh please, that was no big deal, besides you'd do the same for me!" My new thoughts? "Oh please, of course! I'm right here for you!" and end it at that. From now on I want my thought process only to be of giving and loving. I don't even want to hint that someone would do the same in return because I have come to the point that I DONT CARE if they would or not. I will happily help someone at work, buy something someone can't afford that they really need, clean up someone else's mess, drive someone somewhere, hold a hand, or listen to someone cry. It doesn't matter if they'd ever do the same for me, which honestly I never truly expected. It was just an answer to dismiss their gratitude and let them know I didn't mind. Why though would I want my words to say anything I don't mean? I don't expect anything in return. Have there not been many times someone has been there for me and I've not gotten to repay them?
  So when you feel a spark, a tiny hint from above that suggests someone needs you, in any way, do not hesitate to check and see if another soul needs you. I was given a thousand thank you's for a simple 3 minute, "no big deal" task I did at work the other day. To me it was the smallest thing I could help someone do, and it made this person be able to take some deeper breaths, and work more efficiently.
  Just remember the great advice that we never know what someone is going through. Be kind. Be loving. If you can't step in and physically do something you can say a prayer, send your own love to surround someone, smile, pat on the back, wink, you get the idea, I hope, then do so.
  Give as if you have everything on earth at your disposal. Give for nothing in return. Again, the glow you will obtain, the magnetism and love from above will be unlike anything you expected. Now again I'm not telling you to be kind just so you can look good either. THATS NOT IT. I'm telling you so that you, yourself, can be so full hearted from love and joy that you may burst! I want you to feel the happiness that occasionally I get lucky enough to feel.
 As a small child, low to the ground myself, I watched a baby drop his toy keys out of his stroller. I was torn between having time to run them to the mother, and run and tell my mother what had happened. I ran to the lady, and handed her the keys. I will never, as long as I live forget the amazingly, loving feeling I received from the universe. Personally I will try even harder to look for these "sparks" so I can do more of God's work.
 Don't forget your big picture either. You have a special path, cut out of the forrest just for you.     Through trees are going to be rays of sunshine, patches of damp darkness, bears, wild flowers, random tourists, and people that move to your patch of earth to stay. Journey on your path daily and nightly, never ceasing to believe in how strong you are. In moments of turmoil, boredom, or sadness, never cease to be unable to fathom what grand things are around the bend. Recognize your path through life may take make many roller coaster loops, but you are always going to be right where you need to be. Just as everyone else is where they need to be, and you were obviously meant to be a part of each other's journey. 
  Learn something from everyone - more than you try and teach, always speak kindly but never preach. Be that person you want in your life, the one you've seen that has that special "spark." 
 





 
  You have wondered it. I have wondered it. I think my dog has wondered it. Why are we here? Here on this very ground that keeps us from falling through to another continent. I could list 100 questions, such as why were placed in the family we're in? Why do we have certain health issues? Why were we born one race and not another? Why don't we have wagging tails to swat innocent people in line at Petco? Why was I not given the super power to read minds like my cat seems to do?
  Pick your question. ANY question. Now think of this... just as refrigerator magnets say, "You are right where you are supposed to be."
  Oh yeah? Well who says? Whomever you want, God, The Universe, the cat whom you are convinced is an alien. I won't hide that I am a Christian, but I do not care what YOU are, as my reader YOU MATTER. 
  Look I just brought up another point. YOU MATTER. You could write a kind blog comment and inspire me, which is how this very post came to life. You can say kind words to someone you work with and it can completely change their outlook. I remember one time when someone told me, "You are going to be doing this job, very well, for a very long time," and I try never to forget that. Today my boss said very kind words to me and kind of put her walls down for a moment to compliment me. I have been on cloud nine for hours now. That then encouraged me to try ten times harder than I already am.
  You were put here maybe to be THE MOTHER to YOUR child, no other child and no other mother. You may be the firefighter that saves a life, and that saved person's 5th great grandchild cures a horrible disease. YOU. JUST. DON'T. KNOW. And you know what? You may never.
  What I can tell you for sure is that when I look back on my life, the good, bad, ugly, and insane it is a beautiful tapestry woven together that has made up my life, and my thumbprint on the world. I wonder what my ancestors would think if they knew what I do for a living is not work to me, that I do work very hard, but it is with my heart. I wonder what my great grandmother would think of my cooking, since everyone says I cook just like her, but I wouldn't know.
If it weren't for you, who would have that sweet dog, cat, bird, or alligator in the bathtub?
  You must know even in mundane times, and those horrible times of conflict, you are learning lessons and you are right where you are meant to be. You are given anything you need to work with, and you *can* say a prayer for help to receive divine intervention. Don't be surprised if you "feel" a prayer goes unanswered. But wait! There is no such thing. Sometimes we just don't get the answer we want. Sometimes no answer is His answer.
  You must also relish in the good times, the laughter, the friends and family. Do not forget basking in the glory of sunshine, or pure wet rain. Listening to just how happy the birds sound, and how beautiful the flowers are. Sappy I know, but speaking of sap where do you think that yummy real maple syrup comes from? 
  Thank heavens for your trials because without them you'd be a sniveling little wench with their nose stuck in the air. Who knows, maybe you do have your nose in the air and you need someone to hit you instead of the pinata at the next hispanic birthday party you attend. Then POOF! There's a lesson for life. Keep your nose out of the air. Keep your eyes and ears open. Remember what you feel is not always what is so. Know that everyone else is On The Edge and is not dwelling on you and your happenings nearly as much as you are, they have their own ordeals. Don't be so conceited that you waste a day and then a nights sleep worried that someone thinks a certain way about you because within no time at all, they've moved on from the thought, so don't spend hours having a pity party.
  Instead lets all focus on the good. From small to large, the things we say and do can impact someone for life. Don't ever forget that, whatever you do. Try every day to go out of your way, to let someone know just how special they are, remember how good it feels when someone does that for you. You may not on this earth know why exactly your here, and if you don't thats a darn good thing. It means you're here for a million reasons.