Author: Danielle Silva Heckenkamp
Take a moment to smile and change the world - any small act of love. Last
week I took all four children to the grocery store (I know that's pretty crazy,
right?) and typically my older two like to color pictures and give them as "gifts" to the unsuspecting check-out person. Well, at first I was irritated with
myself because I chose the aisle with the crabby lady who wouldn't crack a
smile. My first thought: oh
great, she's going to ignore the pictures and the children will be upset. Note
to self - address the situation later in the car. Luckily, my children
didn't notice her mood right away and enthusiastically handed her the colored
pictures. The woman apprehensively grabbed the folded papers and assumed they
were garbage. She was about to throw them away, but I explained the children made presents for her...and then I waited for her reaction...you will never believe it, but her entire mood changed. The lady
loved the pictures and was extremely chatty and kind to the children after
receiving the gifts. These little ones who were so excited to color a picture
for the check-out person (even though they didn't know her) completely turned
this lady's day around. I’m sure every nearby shopper heard my huge sigh of
relief.
This experience reaffirmed my belief that
adults are jaded (yes, none of us are exempt). We rely too much on our emotions
and creating lasting impressions. Adults are self-centered. We truly need to
become more like little children and give ourselves completely to the happiness
of others. I have heard many people question the deterioration of their own sanity by giving all of themselves to others. Let's be honest, society constantly asks the same selfish questions day in and day out. "What have you done for yourself today?" "How will you reward yourself?" It starts again with the uncontrollable reward system. Let's look at this from a different point of view. It's about time that we love for the sake of loving and helping for the sake of offering unconditional love. Working together, we can create a unified community. The more love and attention I give to
my children and husband, the less I focus on myself and interestingly enough, I
am transported into a sublime state of happiness. My love has grown leaps and
bounds for my family over the years. The more children we have,
and the more I dedicate my entire being to the welfare of my family, the more I
love them all. There’s an amazing never-ending supply of love. Don't reserve that love for only close family and friends (even though they greatly deserve it), but spread it to all.
We will never regret loving another
person, even if they aren't receptive, but there will definitely be regrets if we never
try. So, instead of "paying it forward" only around Christmas time or
a few moments a year when social media reminds us; it's time to give ourselves (all of
ourselves) everyday. Every person deserves to be loved –
family, friends, and strangers. We are social beings who desire love, so let's unconditionally
give that love, while also raising our children to do the same, because
ultimately, what is life without love?
Bucket List of Unconditional Love
ü Invite a friend/family member over for
dinner who is lonely.
ü Bake your favorite cookies and drop them
off at a neighbor’s house.
ü Pick a handful of flowers and visit an elderly relative.
ü Smile at a stranger everyday (you will
never be happy in your own little bubble)/
ü Enjoy every moment with your family and friends.
You will never get a repeat. Those closest to us are sometimes the
most difficult to love, but all the more reason to show them respect.
