This is the time. If you needed someone to tell you. To nudge you. To encourage you.
Maybe to give you a good hard shove.
Well, six feet rule, so no shoving.
Say the words.
I’m reading these days about the people who are more introverted. They are somewhat happy with “stay at home.” They prefer being with less people. Prefer being at home. Prefer not having other people in their space. And perhaps you’ve never been a fan of hugging. Don’t like someone touching your hand or shoulder. We’re all very different, and I respect those differences.
Say the words.
I’m also reading these days about the people dying from the virus. Good for us if we are flattening the curve, and reducing the number of deaths. But however many die...it’s too many.
And mixed in with the deaths from this virus, will be so many other deaths. People we care about. People who die unexpectedly, because, well, that’s just the way it is.
Say the words.
There are words to be said...need to be said to one another...before life comes to an end. Words that need to be said now. Often. To each other. Words of life.
Say the words.
I am delightfully amazed at the great manner in which kindness is on display these days. It is fierce. Generous. Enthusiastic. Selfless. People being good to each other, to many they do not know, separated by six feet or miles. People keep giving and giving and giving. Deep caring. The word “lovingkindness” comes to mind.
I believe many have lived this way their whole lives. Many are frequently kind. Quietly kind. Persistently kind. And many others have had their hearts stirred by this pandemic. A giant door has swung open, and there is a flood of kindness being offered and seen and reported.
Say the words.
They say “actions speak louder than words.” Someone said “a picture is worth a thousand words.” But remember when I said we’re all very different? We are.
Some of us will hear a string of words, a sentence, and it will stay in our hearts forever. It will grow us. Carry us. We will build our lives on some words. We will make choices, accept challenges, take risks, learn truths, and love others...all because of some of the words that were planted in our hearts.
Little gardens of words, that gave us life.
Say the words.
However busy you are...or not. However talented and resourceful you are...or not. However tired you are...or not. However fearful or shy you are...take courage. However uncertain you are...take the risk.
Speak your heart. Say the words.
I love you.
You mean the world to me.
You matter to me.
You matter to so many.
I value you.
I’m so proud of you.
I love being with you.
I love listening to you.
I miss you.
I can’t wait time spend time with you.
You’re so smart.
You’re so strong.
You’re so gifted.
You’re awesome.
You’re remarkable.
My life is better because of you.
I knew you could do it.
Thank you!
Thank you for being my friend.
Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for all you do.
Thank you for your kindness.
You can count on me.
I’ll always be there for you.
What do you need?
I’m sorry.
And so many more.
Say the words. The people in your life. Family and friends. Neighbors. The people you work with. That stranger who is helping another, or who is just doing their job, or who seems to be struggling a bit.
I think I shared this before: I was in an airport bathroom several years ago and there was a bathroom attendant. I told him, “Thanks so much for taking care of us. Have a good day.” He stopped and looked at me, saying, “I work in here all day long, and you are the only person to speak to me.”
I sometimes think...I’m 63...I’ll live a good while longer. But I don’t know. So if the people in my life want to tell me anything, how they feel, tell me now. I’d rather hear encouraging words now, than have kind words spoken at my funeral.
And I’d rather say the words now, to others, than have regrets.
Someone may be waiting to hear something from you. Maybe loving words. Maybe healing words. Maybe growing words.
Don’t miss out. Don’t let them miss out.
Say the words.
And look at that! You just planted a little garden in someone’s heart.
]]>Sunday evening. I’ve been home all day today. Watching “Little Big Shots” on tv right now. Back at the store, there are a few orders pending from Saturday, and a few more that came in today. I had the urge to go to work today. Almost wish I had. But I told myself, that to be a better worker this coming week, I should stay home. Take a little pause.
Being still is hard sometimes, isn’t it? I usually embrace it really well. I find it restful. I’m content doing almost nothing. But a lot of the time recently, it has felt a bit like there is a giant ball that needs pushed…that I’ve been pushing…and that if I let it come to rest, I won’t be able to get it rolling again.
Does that make any sense? Does anyone else feel that way a bit? It’s like I’m trying to maintain some momentum in this season. Keep going…keep going. It’s not a sense of desperation. I say that because I really don’t feel anxious. It’s a sense of control and “doing” and maintaining…a sense of order. Hmmmm. I’m thinking as I write this. Maybe it is a sense of maintaining normal. Self discovery moment!
I rarely use the “v” word ever. The virus. As if by not saying it, I am not letting it have a part of me…not giving it power. I say “this season” instead. And if I don’t say the “v” word and if I keep the ball going…well, I just feel good about it. My normal.
You know, in this season, many are taking their temperature. But I am taking my life temperature. My mind…my heart…my emotions…my choices. I’m trying to pay attention to what is good for me. I’m taking my temperature a lot. Even small things matter. Some things I used to do before, maybe automatically without thinking…now I think, I don’t need that. I’m asking questions more. Is that what I want? Is that good for me?
But more than that. I want to be at my best, so I can be a help and encouragement to others. To you folks. To anyone I find in my life path. I don’t want that to sound boastful. Themes that I repeat in my posts…beauty, kindness, courage, faith...I talk about them, and ask questions, and share stories, and try to write honestly…not because I’m smart and have it all figured out. I write about such stuff, because I think about these things and they make my life better. And I want YOU to think about these things, and ask questions, and notice what is what, and make choices that are good for you. Because I want the best for you…and because so often it is hearing your thoughts and stories, that point me to these things and help ME figure things out.
I’m so grateful for this space to consider these things together. This space on facebook. And this space inside our MoonPie General Store, where face to face and heart to heart with you, is more than I deserve and could ask for.
Tomorrow. Monday. A new day for all of us. I pray you rest well tonight. I think it’s ok to stop pushing that big ball for a little bit. And I bet when it’s time to push again…well…you’ll find there’s me and a bunch of others there to help push.
I’ll remind you that we have many offers on our page if you scroll down. Gift cards. 48 mini moonpies for $22. Puzzles, books, checkers, mugs. Maybe we have something you’d like. Let us know.
Sleep well.
Because stories...are meant to be heard.
And beauty...is meant to be seen.
It could be my imagination. I just keep thinking they should be greener.
I thought about it more on the way home from work just an hour ago. I always say these mountains have stories to tell. They stand tall and proud. They watch over us. And nearly every day they look slightly different than the day before. Actually hour by hour, they look different.
So what story do you think they are telling? I think they look at you and me, and think, “These people. My people. I miss them. I need them. I am ready to welcome them back. Soon. Soon.”
I think there is a sadness in these mountains. Oh, I know that they have been around for years and years...for generation after generation. But what if we are their children, and they want to gather us in to hear their stories and share their beauty?
Because stories...are meant to be heard.
And beauty...is meant to be seen.
What if we are the light carriers, to make these dark mountains bright again? And it will take a lot of us to do that.
I heard from a light carrier today. Actually from quite a few of you. But one in particular. She’s a young light carrier...pictured with me from a few months ago. I can’t identify her fondness for me...but she wanted to have her picture taken with “the man who wears blue shoes.”
Most days, that’s me.
Her mother messaged me today, and said I could share: “My daughter and I visit the Moonpie store every day on vacation. She is missing your store. When she was playing with her Barbies this morning, they were on vacation in Tennessee and visiting the Moonpie store. The Ken doll was "Mr. Man In The Blue Shoes."
That’s light, folks! It is to me. And I’m here to tell you, look around. There are light carriers everywhere. You’re a light carrier, too. I noticed, and so do others.
So I want to tell you all today, keep shining.
You’re doing so good. Every day. Then light turns to dark, and you go to bed. You wake up, and the dark gives way to light. Morning. Another day. A new day. And look how good you’re doing!
I could be wrong about these mountains. But I think they need more than the morning light. They need light carriers. Like you. And a thousand others.
The good news? These mountains. They have survived for generations. And they have the patience of a thousand years. They will wait.
Until you come again.
Blessed be the light carriers. They are a gift to all of us. And to the mountains.