A client of mine sent this story as part of his holiday message, and I loved it so much I asked for his permission to share it with all of you. My guest columnist, Rob, is an executive who lives in Chicagoland.
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I ask you all to practice random acts of kindness this season. During the past few weeks a few things have happened that I would like to share.
1. I picked up a pair of shoes from a the cobbler and indicated to the woman in the store that I was excited because I had only one more official Christmas Party to go to. She said: ” I wish I had a Christmas Party to Go to.”
Let’s Be Grateful for what we have and get to do!
2. I shared with a beautiful woman my goal of teaching at the University of Chicago. She shared with me that she had received her PhD there and had this set of china with Pictures of the Buildings on them from 1931. I had just met her. She left and returned within 10 minutes and gave me the 12-piece set of china.
Be Grateful for the generosity of others!
3. I was able to hear one of my best friends play his violin in Handel’s Messiah. He was, and it was, amazing.
Be Grateful for the Talent and Growth of others!
4. I was blessed to have lunch with my mom and my aunt in Chicago at the Walnut Room of Marshall Fields. Generally the wait is 2-4 hours. I had exchanged holiday greetings with a man on an elevator earlier. He saw us in line and gave us his reservation which was 45 minutes earlier.
There is an abundance of Generosity in the World!
5. Lunch and the time with mom and Aunt Arlene was a blessing!
Enjoy family and loved ones. Be grateful!
6. We decided to have dessert at the Cheese Cake Factory on Michigan Avenue. Another wait was in front of us. I greeted the host with “Hello and Merry Christmas.” He stopped and said “What did you say?” “I said, Merry Christmas.” He said “you are the first person who said that all day. Thank you!” and he seated us immediately
There are so many other miracles that keep happening!
I heard the bells on Christmas Day; their old familiar carols play, and wild
and sweet the word repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American Poet
