I was out to dinner with my husband the other evening and enjoyed watching the family seated across the way from us. I saw a 13 or 14-year old young man, his parents, grandma and his sister and her husband and new baby.
I noticed them because of the easy way they had of being with each other, especially this young man. The restaurant staff soon came over to sing “Happy Birthday” and it became apparent that it was this young man’s birthday. Rather than duck his head and try to hide in embarrassment, he sat up straighter in his chair, acknowledged they were there for him and grinned from ear to ear!
After the singing, the father then handed him a piece of paper. His eyes lit up and he pumped the air with his fist, excitedly commenting about what must have been tickets to a concert and the added gift of a backstage pass. He was thrilled and let his parents know!
I had so much fun observing this family interaction.
Everything from accepting the Happy Birthday singing, the enjoyment of being with his family, to eating in a nice restaurant, to expressing excitement of the upcoming concert was received with appreciation and joy!
It made me happy just witnessing. I recognized that his positive behavior had influenced me! And how grateful I was that it was in such a positive way! Seeing him so happy and graciously accepting his gifts (dinner, being sung to, family time, concert tickets, etc.) lifted my spirits by just witnessing. I recognize how easily it could have been the reverse with a sullen, complaining, angry, unhappy person in that seat, affecting not only his family but those around him.
Are you aware of how your behavior, positive or negative affects others?
Are you using your influence to build and lift others or unknowingly drag them down?
Being aware of your influence and how even the smallest thing such as saying “thank you” or smiling at someone can ripple out to affect others, can not only encourage you to be more accountable for yourself, but will also go far in your own experience of a happier life.
Perhaps we can all give someone else the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised today by being a little more aware of our influence and by being a light for someone else by choosing to enjoy the moment and expressing more fully our own happiness and gratitude!
Love,
