Dog-Tired... But You Gotta Run

The main entrance to my apartment building remains locked and tenants must use a key to enter.  Fairly common, I suppose.  The other day I was walking with a heavy backpack, another satchel with my laptop, a bag of goodies from the drug store, and a bag of fresh fruit.  As I rounded the corner in front of the apartment building a lady was there wearing a huge smile on her face, holding the door for me.  Oh boy…so I mustered up every bit of strength my body would muster and I quickened my pace to a light jog so’s not to seem ungrateful for her act of random kindness.  Once I got inside it was all I could do not to just plop me and my stuff right on the floor and sit a spell.  Shoot!  I was tired. I just talked about the baggage we’ve all carried around at one time or another and there I was forced to dog’on near sprint with all arms and hands loaded.  I got a phone call just as I was unlocking my apartment door and the caller was asking why I was breathing like I’d just run a marathon.  I shared with him what just happened, we laughed a little and then it got us to thinking…  That’s what I want to share with you today.  Check this out.

First off, let’s go back so that I can analyze (I’m probably due to write a post on being over-analytical at some point, but just humor me for now) what just happened to me:

1. I was carrying a heavy load; managing, but it was definitely a struggle.

2. Rounding that corner put my “finish line” (the apartment building) in plain view.

3. The kind neighbor holding the door for me was actually a blessing.  It kept me from having to drop all my things, dig for my keys, unlock the door, and reload my bags.

4. Caveat:  In order to receive this blessing, I needed to quicken my pace.  In essence I had to “run” to it.

Let’s put it all together:  often times someone will hold the key to the very blessing you need, but in order to receive said blessing, heavy bags and all, you’ve got to run.  Anybody getting this?

Right there at the moment when you feel like you want to just stop for a minute and take a break…  At those moments when you are most tired... most worn out… After you’ve traveled so far already…  After your back is tired and your legs are weak…  During the moments when you feel your grip slipping and it would be so easy to let it all go… Right when you feel like you have had all you can take… then you get a glimpse of the finish line.  It’s still in the distance, but all of a sudden it’s within sight and you say a silent prayer that you’ve got enough wherewithal to keep it together just a bit longer.  This is it.  Home stretch.  And the self-talk begins.  “Come on, girl.  You’ve got this.  Don’t give up just yet.  You’re almost there.”  And as you whisper to yourself, weak and tired, an unknown angel appears just to lend you a helping hand.  But – and here’s where it gets tricky – YOU have to go to THEM and they will only wait so long for you to get there.  Well damn. 

“Don’t they know how tired I am?”

“Don’t they know how far I’ve traveled so far?”

“Don’t they know what I’ve had to go through just to make it here?”

“If they’re gonna bother to help me, why won’t they come to ME?”

“If I’ve gotta run, I don’t even want their help.”

“They can keep their stank blessing if it’s gotta be like this.”

“I didn’t ask for his/her help anyway.”

“I’ve always managed before without any help.  I’ll be fine.”

"Jasmynne, I don’t know what you’re talking about.  Give me an example."  OK – will do.  The same friend that called me as I was unlocking the door to my apartment shared this with me not too long ago.  I’ll spare you the details and just give you a couple of notes from Cliff (whoever he is).

A single mother is literally dirt poor.  She’s working at a fast food counter, doing the best she can to feed her young daughter.  And when I say dirt poor I’m talking down to her last few hundred dollars in the bank.  She had it worked out that after bills and rent she had something around $200 left to live off.  She’s at work one day when a guy comes in, notices her hair, and gives her his business card.  After speaking with this perfect stranger, she learns that he owns a beauty salon, and is offering her a station in his salon.  He dropped her initial booth rental fee down to $200.  If she could come up with the money, he had a spot for her.  Mind you, the same $200 that he’s asking her for is her only money to her name at this point.  That’s it.  The blessing was that this was a massive discount off of the standard booth rental fee.  So there he was…a perfect stranger…holding the door for another stranger.  It left her faced with a choice.  Run through this open door that he was holding, or ignore his kindness altogether and keep doing what she’s been doing.  Well, I’m sure you’ve guessed it.  She took a chance and sprinted to the offer she’d been given, and she made over $2,000 her first week on the job.  It paid off.  It more than paid off.

So again I say:  keep your eyes open.  Blessings come in all shapes and sizes and they can be delivered to us by virtually anyone.  It’s your job to recognize them when they appear; and up to you to run like the wind to get to them.  Every open door closes at some point.  Just make sure you’re on the right side when it does.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

photo:  https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-9erKMYgoxmeaEPzjckQxKEXpgxsNBR4wj5eVOx_YCxiT-gG8N2wit6wH9meOrgjuIT7gQ5pL8UYE1QMwlxwMqkYSro4axFx3DL7ck6F-9UI3slxGwkQf0loVwM8ofF2NVAfMJZdQlNQ/s1600/am_week10_exhausted.jpg 

There Is So Much Healing In a Single Dose

When I turned on my computer this morning, I was welcomed by a touching email from a friend and colleague. Without going into too much detail, I want to share with you a snippet of the message:

“It was a blessing to meet you and experience you up close and personal. Your performance, rare and stunningly authentic spoke volumes to so many. Thank you for sharing with me during those couple of intense conversations we had.”

I don't share this with you to wave a compliment in your face – it's not about that at all. And if you feel that way, I apologize to you greatly. I share it to show the importance of telling another when they've affected us in a positive way. When I read this email, it completely warmed my heart. I immediately read it a second time and have read it at least four or five times since. This note reminded me of my goals and my purpose – not that I've ever forgotten, but it is very easy to put things on our mental back-burners when life throws us some mess. And what I've got to learn for myself is that everything isn't urgent. Not everything needs to be tended to right now. Not everyone needs my attention ASAP. No disrespect to anyone, but there is much work to do, and I am only one person. I have always been just one person, and I'm not complaining; but I have come to learn my limits. Though it hurts and stings a little, sometimes saying , “no” is the best thing I can do.

Let's see if I can get back on course here. I seemed to have strayed a little from the point I originally wanted to make. Sharing positivity with another. It's essential. It really is. If you have a friend, coworker, or family member that has affected you in a positive way, you owe it to that person to let them know. By you taking the time to relay that message you return the blessing to them. Does that make sense? They have, whether or purpose or by accident, managed to bless you in some way – the least you could do is let them know how much their presence and kindness has meant to you. And simply by doing so, you will, in turn, bless them.

It's really that simple. People need to know when they've made a positive impact on your life. They need to hear it. Life can be so tumultuous at times, that it's very easy for any of us to say out loud or to ourselves, “Why bother?” And even in those moments when we just want to surrender to the lemons that are being thrown our way, we are well within our right to do so and no one would think ill of us. But when we get that bit of friendly encouragement it fills our tank and gives us just enough fuel to march ahead. It gives us the strength to pick up the pile of lemons that has collected at our feet and turn them into our best batch of lemonade yet. It revitalizes us. Gives us a much needed slap on the hiney saying, “You can do it!” That's what this morning's email did to me. I feel like I'm on top of the world and like nothing can stop me. So you know what I did?

#1: I wrote a message back to my friend expressing my thanks and gratitude for blessing me with such thoughtful words.

#2: I wrote a similar message to someone that has been a blessing to me in my life over the years.

So stop being stingy. If someone puts a smile on your face; let them know. If someone touches your spirit; let them know. If someone warms your heart, don't be afraid to let them know. Do your part so that the circle of blessings continues. I don't think anyone would argue that we would all benefit from an extra dose of heartfelt kindness.

So your homework assignment? Let someone know how they've been a positive impact on you today. Before you rest your head on your pillow tonight, please do that much for me – and watch what happens.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

photo: www.stockfreeimages.com