Love Deposits
There was a time last summer when I was really struggling. My husband was out of town and I was solo taking care of our house, two dogs, and juggling a busy workload that week. It all felt a little overwhelming.
Often things have to get to the 9-1-1 phase before I will ask for help, so when a good friend offered to pick up and drop off our 2-year old dog at doggy day care one day that week… tears started streaming down my face.
To her, it was easy peasy. “I’m driving right by your house anyway. It’s no problem.”
Even though it was ‘no big deal’ for my friend, to me, it felt like a huge gesture of love.
Gestures of love don’t have to be grand to be impactful. In fact, check out this story about how one person’s kindness literally saved a woman’s life.
One of my personal favorite ways to spread a little love is through snail mail.
A few years ago, I decided to begin writing one thank-you note a day.
You might think: “How can I find one person every day to write a thank-you note to?” I promise you, it’s not that difficult.
Some days now I end up writing more than one, but I can always find at least one person to thank for some way on which they’ve touched my life.
At first, I started with the obvious - good friends, family, colleagues and coworkers – and wrote people notes sharing the reasons I was grateful for them and how they made my world a better place.
And then I expanded outwards. Neighbors and other people I frequently see like the friendly baristas at the coffee shop or the employees at the post office.
As the Buddha once said, “If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path.”
My notes aren’t always long but I make them something personal like:
“Thank you for always greeting me with a huge smile when I come in and brightening my mornings. It’s such a joy to come in to the coffee shop and chat with you while I’m waiting for my latte… and I just wanted you to know that your friendly presence is a gift in my world! I hope you have a beautiful rest of your day! xo-Mindy”
Over time I’ve come to call this my “love deposit” practice. Each time I deliver or mail a note, I let go of it with the intention that my words spread a little love into the world of the person receiving it.
As 2018 gets underway, I encourage you to take a little time to think about how you’d like to make your own unique “love deposits” this year.
Taking a meal to an elderly or sick neighbor, sending a loved one flowers “just because,” or writing someone a thank-you note to let them know how amazing you think they are.
As the Buddha once said, “If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path.”
And what feels “easy peasy” to you? It might be a day changer for someone else.
Please keep shining your love and kindness out into the world. During these challenging times in our world, it really does matter.