Stories by dancingDog (8 matches)

Smiling Is Infectious (a Poem)

Smiling Is Infectious
by Jez Alborough*

Smiling is infectious,
you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner
and someone saw my grin.
When he smiled I realized
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile,
then I realized its worth.
A single smile, just like mine
could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin,
don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic quick,
and get the world infected!

*This was formerly misattributed to Spike Mulligan. The original author is Jez Alborough.

Thanks For Rocking With Me!

There was once an elderly, despondent woman in a nursing home. She wouldn't speak to anyone or request anything. She merely existed - rocking in her creaky old rocking chair.

The old woman didn't have many visitors. But every couple mornings, a concerned and wise young nurse would go into her room. She didn't try to speak or ask questions of the old lady. She simply pulled up another rocking chair beside the old woman and rocked with her.

Weeks or months later, the old woman finally spoke.

'Thank you,' she said. 'Thank you for rocking with me.'"

Who's Thirsty?

A group of us walk dogs every week at our local Humane Society.  It's a fun thing to do and the dogs always express their appreciation! 

But it can be grueling in the hot humid summer here.  It's not quite summer here yet but we have had some hot days ... and many of us wish we had some cool refreshing water to quench our thirst in the heat.

But this is something that I can change -  I decided that I will be the water point person and try to keep my team cool so that they can stay committed.  So I've brought a cooler with water bottles for the last two weeks and intend to do that the entire summer.  It's a small and easy thing to do.

Last week everyone had some water and I think it helped us all physically and mentally!   Just look around - it's these little things that count!  :=D 

Running In The Rain

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.  After a few minutes, a sweet little voice broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught and said, "Mom, let's run through the rain!" "What?" Mom asked. "Let's run through the rain!" She repeated. "No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated, "Mom, let's run through the rain." ... Read Full Story >>

The Wise Woman's Stone

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

Just ask! You might be surprised

A work group from the company where I work toured a United Way agency named Hope House that provides day care for kids diagnosed HIV-positive or who have parents who are HIV-positive. It was a place so full of love. One little boy greeted us with hugs and then told us that his Daddy was in heaven. As you can imagine, we were very touched.

The agency provides a place for the kids to learn, grow, feel safe and deal with the challenges of their lives. I asked the director what material goods the agency needed and she indicated paper towels and diapers.

As a result, we put out the word at our work place and the response was tremendous. We put a big box in the lobby and put up notices and figured we'd give it a week. Well, after one week the box was overflowing and there was enough on the ground to nearly fill another two. Some people gave 12-packs of paper towels and large pkgs of high quality diapers.

I am proud of the giving and the generous spirit of my fellow workers. Sometimes, you just have to ask. The response was more than we ever expected. Now I'm looking forward to Hope House receiving our gifts.

I Finally Had A Chance To Do This

I don't go to Starbucks very often because although I love coffee, their special drinks are a little on the pricey side.  When I do go, I usually don't have any extra money with me either.  But today, I had time to go before work and I had enough money to pay for the lady in back of me at the drive-thru - I've always wanted to do that!  

When I got to the window to pay, I was really excited!  The barrista was very deadpan about my request.  He said, "Well if you really want to be that generous, you can."  Glad he finally approved!

I drove away excited and exhilarated and a little curious about what my "victim" might be thinking - I just hope it made her day as happy as it made mine!

Just Ask, And Others Will Join

I am often surprised by the generosity of others.

I am holding a yard sale to benefit the Arthritis Foundation and have asked friends to donate items for the sale.  Not only have friends given me loads of stuff without a second thought, they have also asked their friends and co-workers for items too.  So we will have a wonderful selection of things for people to buy.

We can encourage others to participate in our kindness acts by just asking.  Often people are looking for an opportunity to do good and just need a little prompting or guiding or leadership.  Just ask!  you might be surprised by what you get  :=D

An Unsuspecting Restaurant Table

Seven Thoughts After A Lost Wallet