The secret.

No, not the book or movie.

The impact you make in another person’s life. It’s the best-kept secret in town.

You may never know what your spontaneous call, note, smile, sincere compliment, or conversation may do to improve their day.

Statics show an overwhelming amount of children and adults are dealing with depression, anxiety, or some combination of both—and while we know these are “choices” we can control—there will be times they are uncontrollable.

Not everyone understands or has access to tools to diffuse these feelings.

YOU may be the reason someone smiles, laughs, feels comforted or validated, subsequently disrupting their pattern.

Can you imagine that?

The most wonderful thing is when we encounter total strangers— in the checkout line, elevator, or even walking past us somewhere.

Since they don’t know us, and likely may not see us again—it is a no-strings opportunity to say or do something intentionally.

ESPECIALLY if this kind of thing isn’t in your nature, strangers are a great place to practice.

It may feel uncomfortable at first—but encouragement may be sorely needed. Why not try?

And if you feel crappy yourself? Down, in a funk, perhaps worse—give yourself the gift of lifting someone else up. The magic is that it disrupts YOUR pattern, too.

It doesn’t have to be anything expensive, although buying the person’s food behind you or leaving an unexpected tip can bless someone like crazy if you can afford to do it—or swap something for yourself to make it happen.

I’ll leave you with this. One day I was wandering through Shoprite. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to remember what I needed. I was numb with grief and pain and had just gotten out of work, having held my emotions in all day.

At the register, the cashier said to me, “You look so beautiful! I love your dress and your jewelry—you are so put together.” I had just spent the last half hour feeling unworthy of anything. And here, this young woman edified me.

I asked about her—single mom, three kids, lived 45 minutes away, worked two jobs, and tried to stay positive. I marveled.

The necklace was new, and I loved it. But, I loved this stranger more at the moment. I quickly pulled it over my head and hung it around her neck—then placed the matching earrings in her hand. She stared at me in disbelief, and her radiant smile warmed my soul. At first, she said she couldn’t accept it until I told her that her kindness blessed me more than the jewelry ever could.

Her name was Blessing, aptly so. I never saw her again. But her warmth made me feel human, and I went home to my empty apartment that dark evening with a glimmer of hope in my heart.

I never did find that necklace for sale again or anything like it. And in a way, I believe that was intentional. The absence of a “thing” reminds me of the presence of a soul.

Be the love today. ❤️