The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.
-Leo Buscaglia
Lately I have been struck by this quote. Because when I stop to look at my life and my days right now, it is very clear that my day is made up of mini-moments strung together that are perfect opportunities to show my love to those in my path. As a full-time SAHM, my kids are the people I am with the most. I am trying to submit to this idea. To lean into it. To see each moment as an opportunity to share my love and joy with whomever I am engaged with in that moment. It changes the way I go about filling sippy cups and preparing lunch. Even how I lay that lunch on the table. So often, I am plopping lunch down, shuffling kids about and scurrying from here to there in the midst of that task. Today, I was conscious of setting it down and kissing each of my kids on the top of the head. Small moment. Huge difference in my day, though. I am left feeling like I am the lucky one - to get to love on these beautiful people in my life. My kids. My husband. My in-laws. My parents. My friends. The lady in front of me at the grocery store. The little kid at the park who just needs a smile.
There really are opportunities all around me...
It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.
-Mother Teresa
