Saturday, June 12, 2010

Just Say It!

While at my son's school on Friday, the woman on yard duty went out of her way to pull me aside. She had seen my son do something so kind, so respectful, that she had been thinking about it all week. She said she just had to tell me about it, and I'm thankful she did.

When she first pulled me aside, I thought, "Oh boy, what did he do wrong?" Instead, I got this beautiful glimpse of something my son did while I was miles away. It brought tears to my eyes. Seriously.

It made me feel proud of my son, that's for sure. It also made me regret those times that I've thought something nice about someone, but didn't speak up and just say it. Sometimes it's easier for me to write gushing compliments than to voice them.

How about you? Is there something you wish you'd said, but didn't? Or did you speak up and make someone's day?

And speaking of gushing compliments, have you all checked out Friday's awesome post at Adventures in Children's Publishing? You name it, it's in there.

20 comments:

  1. Julie, we love you! And here's a compliment- we think you are AWESOME! Thanks for the mention :) You made our day! I love the "pass it on" attitude. Your vignette is great. I can think of so many times during the school day when, as a teacher privvy to these moments, kids do such good things. From offering to help me, to being kind to another child, they inspire me to be more kind.

    Hugs!
    Marissa

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  2. People are so quick to criticise and yet slow to compliment. I try to do when I receive good service on the phone, I've worked in a call centre before and am now a receptionist and understand!

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  3. I have a difficult times complimenting others face-to-face, and the few times that I did, I've seen such joy on their faces that I do wonder why I don't do it more often.

    Your little boy sounds like the sweetest. :)

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  4. Nicole, it's nice that you can see both sides of the issue and go out of your way to give compliments. That's great.

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  5. Sandy, thanks. I feel the same way face-to-face. I'm almost afraid they'll think I'm weird, when they'd probably enjoy hearing something nice!

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  6. Julie, i think it's funny that your first thought was oh my what has he done - it's so right! I do the same!!
    But how lovely! I had the same when my son's kindy teacher gave me a wonderful comment. I try to do the same to others after getting such a wonderful high from that comment.

    And thanks for the link to Natalie's blog :)

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  7. Kerrin, I don't know why us parents automatically think our kids have done something wrong! It's a horrible habit of mine. I hope my boys won't need therapy because of it.

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  8. That was so nice of that mother to tell you the good thing your son did. I had that happen with one of my boys once.

    Like most people, I don't usually point out the good things people do. However, I did make a point of it a few weeks ago. I work at a hospital and often have to go into patient rooms where the patient is isolation. That involves putting on a big yellow gown that it stored in a bin that looks like a garbage can with a footpetal to open the lid. Most days, the gowns are just crammed in there, so pulling one out might end up with five falling out of the bin because they're all tangled. But some days, the gowns are all neatly rolled and stacked in there. So, one day I went into a lounge to get a snack from the vending machine and found a group of mentally challenged volunteers rolling the gowns. I stopped and told them how much time they saved me and how it made my job a little easier when the gowns were rolled.

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  9. May, I absolutely loved your story. I'm sure you made their day when they realized how much their efforts helped someone else.

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  10. That's so sweet! I always try to Just Say It because I've been in the position where someone said something nice just when I needed to hear it. I like to hope that maybe there are times when I say what someone needs to hear just when they need to hear it.

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  11. Heather, I'll bet you've done just that; made someone's day!

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  12. I've learnt to speak up and tell people they look beautiful today. I tell my kids great things all the time, and I hope they grow up and do the same thing. It's something we should all embrace. Spread the love. A loving gesture or word can make every one smile.

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  13. I wanted to pop in to say thanks for connecting with me on the 365 Days of Novel Writing. I also want to add it's a neat thing to have such kind words said about your son! Now I am off to check out Adventures in Children's Publishing!

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  14. J., thanks for stopping by. You'll love it over at Adventure's!

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  15. Me? Keep my mouth closed regarding ANYTHING?

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  16. Lisa, just one of your awesome qualities!

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  17. Julie, thank you for commenting on my blog.

    I just had the same thing happen to me... thanks for the reminder that I should pass it on...

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  18. Sheri, of course! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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