Ever find yourself throwing a little pity party? Do you send out invitations to family and friends, or is it more of a solo affair?
Recently, I caught myself indulging in one—an unusual moment for me, considering I’m typically the upbeat, resilient type—a fighter, not a quitter. But life has a way of testing even the most positive among us, and I found myself sinking under the weight of recent events. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of all the things I had to be grateful for. Let’s be honest—I was feeling downright sorry for myself.
So, what snapped me out of it? Enter Rosemary, a lovely lady from my church. We’ve been exchanging published stories for a while now, and last Sunday, she handed me an article written by Kelly Waterhouse called Stone.
That piece hit me right between the eyes. Kelly wrote about a friend who gave her a rock. At first glance, it might seem like an odd gift, but it was anything but. You see, Kelly has a passion for collecting uniquely shaped stones—ones with character, imperfections, and stories of their own. This particular stone, shaped like a small bird or duckling, was found on the beach. Its smooth surface bore the marks of time, softened by years of rolling tides, yet its strength remained—it was, after all, still a stone.
Kelly’s message was clear: during life’s transitions, we have a choice—we can either stay afloat like a duck gliding on water or sink like a stone into the sand. Life will always bring challenges that weigh us down, but our attitude, decisions, and actions shape our path forward. I knew this truth well, yet for a brief moment, I had lost sight of it. Kelly’s column was all it took to bring my focus back.
This story may be short, but its message is powerful. Small acts of kindness—like Rosemary giving me that article or family and friends calling to see how things are going—can have a profound impact. We never truly know what someone else is going through, and sometimes, the simplest gestures can make all the difference.
So, let’s make kindness a daily habit. A phone call to check in, a smile, a warm greeting—even to a stranger—a genuine compliment. These little things have the power to brighten someone’s day, and who knows? They might just be the lifeline someone needs to stay afloat.