Happy New Year! Heidi and I thought our first column of 2017 would be about more happy and human kindness. We do hope that you enjoy so settle in and thanks for stopping in to read “At Home with Heidi & Sandy.”
Nearly 100 years ago, aviator Amelia Earhart observed, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
HEIDI: For those of you that know Sandy & me…you know we have a certain “energy” and that we enjoy sharing every day. We love to PAY IT FORWARD and encourage everyone to seize that opportunity also.
HEIDI: Recently, a friend called me a RAKtivist. At first I wasn’t sure how to respond, and then they explained…”Random Acts of Kindness activist.” They live and breathe kindness, sharing knowledge and leading by example and never giving up. Someone who believes kindness can change the world, who reminds everyone around them how much love there is. Let’s all be a RAKtivist and leave a trail of warm-and-fuzzy feelings in our wake.
SANDY: Heidi, I love to SMILE at everyone – it may be the only smile they get all day and gosh it makes me feel good and the smiles I receive in return are amazing.
HEID: GIVE AFFIRMATION – praise someone about a quality that they have that you really appreciate. Their face just lights up. I really enjoy do this anonymously also.
SANDY: I am always HOLDING A DOOR OPEN – for the person coming in or going out, young or old male or female, it is the polite thing to do.
HEIDI: STOP FOR CARS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES – with our narrow streets in Prescott, I am always watching for the back-up lights and stop to let the car pull out. The waves I get from the drivers are precious.
SANDY: I love HELPING SOMEONE – When I see an elderly person struggling with their belongings or even groceries, I offer to help carry them and have even put bags into their car. I love the sweet golden year citizens.
HEIDI: I say the ripple effect starts with one. One person to hold door open. One person to write a thank you letter. One person to be a spark of kindness when another really needs it. We can all be that person.
SANDY: TALK WITH A STRANGER – okay, I admit I am always talking to strangers and making conversation. It’s fun, it’s free and I meet the nicest people. And best of all, you may discover a hidden treasure in that person.
HEIDI: Most of the time, it is the smallest things that make a difference. USE YOUR BLINKER, it lets everyone know what you want to do and allows them to PAY IT FORWARD without even knowing it. Or maybe placing your garbage containers a couple feet apart so the garbage person has a little easier time picking up your garage with that large mechanical arm.
SANDY: KINDNESS. Yep, kindness. Now more than ever, people need to honestly think about what it means to be kind. Not because the world is in any more of a state of chaos then it ever has been, but because our world lends itself less and less to kindness. It only takes a second and most of the time is free.
HEIDI: One of the things that I hear from people visiting Prescott is how friendly everyone is…indeed, it is
“Everyone’s Home Town.” So, we are definitely doing something right but there are always more opportunities..
TAKE THE TIME and pass it on. It is never too late – every day, take the opportunity and time to make a difference in our community and thank someone for sharing kindness with you.
SANDY: What I see happening is that when people are not kind, they are labeled as rude. Rudeness is becoming easier to recognize than kindness. Such as not stopping to let the car pull out of the parking space, not letting the driver into your lane, not holding door open, not saying please or thank you or the people who not only just talk on their cell phone in a public place, but shout into a conversation.
Without kindness, there is rudeness. Kindness isn’t donating money or time to a soup kitchen. Doing that is called charity. Kindness is simply when a person isn’t rude, and to avoid rudeness is to simply be kind. Kindness is stepping away from the self-centered oblivion so often promoted in modern culture and appreciating the people around you, even if it is someone just a few steps short of catching the door. So, the only New Year’s resolution we should all care about for 2017 is keeping kindness top of mind.
HEIDI: If you want 2017 to be your year, start a daily habit of doing “something.” Don’t sit on the couch and wait for it. Go out. Make a change. Smile more. Be excited. Do new things. Throw away what has been cluttering or holding you back. Think positive. Surround yourself with positive people instead of negative people. Go to bed early. Wake up early. Be fierce. Show more gratitude. Do things that challenge you. Be brave. And most of all, if you have the power to make someone happy – DO IT. Our world needs more happiness!
From Heidi and Sandy – Happy New Year! Widespread kindness makes a community feel happier. We crave the sweetness that kindness brings to life. In 2017, clear your schedule for kindness. It doesn’t have to take long or be overly involved to count. We believe that small intentional acts of kindness can change the world. It certainly will make yours brighter! QCBN
Welcome to “At Home With Heidi & Sandy.”
Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Heidi and Sandy.”
You’re in good company and we love sharing our column with you.
See you next month.
Heidi Marshall, Associate Broker, SRES, ABR, CFS, Realtor with Windermere, (928)830-2320.
Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association.
(928) 778-0040.
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