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This Thanksgiving And Beyond – Look for the Little Things.

It is Always the Little Things!

I have three teenage girls in my home still!  Oh, how I love the joy of being a father and loving on and enjoying these wonderful young women!  It is a blessing to have such sweet examples of love, caring, fun, and devotion in my life!  I love my children so much! The other part of having teenage girls can be stressful or even disgusting.  Here, I am referring to my job to clean out the drains.  I did not know teenage girls had so much hair, and it all seems to collect in the shower and sink drains!  I could weave a blanket out of this stuff!  I wonder if there is a sheepdog living here sometimes!

Recently, my teenage girls reminded me of something so special to me–and I did not know it was so special.  I was unloading the dishwasher and noticed the cups had lip prints on them.  Almost all of them had lip prints.  Some were red or pink and others were just a clear impression of lips.  Almost all of the cups had them.  The dishwasher could not wash this off. Well, you might wonder why this is special to me.  Sounds odd to be reminded of something special by lip prints left on my glassware, doesn’t it?  Yet, for me, I felt a wonderful feeling of nostalgia wash over me.

My sweet grandmother was the most generous woman I may ever be blessed to know.  She loved to cook, serve, and help her family!  She always remembered special days, came to every concert and gave me so much of her time and life.  She was a precious and wonderful soul!  I miss her. Well, grandma wore various shades of red or pink lipstick all of the time.  You guessed it!  She left lip prints on the glassware.  Truth be told, she left lip prints in many places.  She left lip prints on her silverware.  She left lip prints on her handkerchief.  Finally, and most memorably, she left lip prints on people.  Grandma always kissed us on the cheeks when she saw us or said goodbye.  So, we always had lip prints on our cheeks when we were with grandma.  Every- one had them.  She left her mark!

This experience made me nostalgic for the many people in my life who leave their prints on me!  Grandma left a mark on me with her kisses and her lipstick.  Even more, she left a mark on me by her kindness and service and love for me. 

She found ways to bless me, make me feel special and important, and she was always giving.  The little things she did for me left a print on my heart that I will remember forever and never want to fade or wash away.

As I think of others, I can easily see how many people have left a print on my life and in my heart.  My mother has been a dearest friend and supporter.  She left her mark on me by her simple teachings, her expectations that I would become something, and that I would take responsibility for my life and self.  She has been a wonderful supporter. She left a permanent imprint on me!

I think of my step-father who blessed me with pearls of wisdom that probably started the book I wrote recently.  He also taught me in little ways that it is possible to change.  He helped me see that we can rise above hard times, regrettable events from the past, and become a new person.  He has left prints on my life.

I think of my siblings who have been there in one way or another in my life, my mind, and in my heart!  My brother who was always knowledgeable (and sometimes an insufferable know-it-all!) and willing to drop everything to help.  My sister who always offers cheer and kind words.  She sends my children nice cards all of the time.  She was not only my sister but a best friend.  My brother and sister have left a permanent mark on my life.

I think of my children who have blessed me with their love and support, their confidence in me, and their willingness to learn and live with a very imperfect father.  They have seen me at my best and my worst and loved me through it all.  They have left indelible impressions on my heart and soul.  I am proud of what they have left in me and wear it proudly.

Finally, I think of my dear friends and colleagues who bless me with their kindness and encouragement.  I was texting with a dear friend this morning and thanked her for the hug she gave me a week ago.  I needed that hug then and I needed the remembrance of it this morning.  I love the little marks my friends and loved ones have left on me.

It is these little things that matter most!  These little tiny things bless my life and truly leave a mark on me!  These prints of love create a sense of worth and value I would not trade for anything.  I look to heaven and thank my God for all the little prints of love He leaves in my life!  I see Him in everything around me, especially in the little things people do and give to me.  It is these little things that always matter the most.

As you reflect on your life, I hope and pray you will look for the prints that people have and do leave in your life.  Look all around you and you will see them.  Someone somewhere has left a mark on you!  Their influence and actions have changed you, shaped you, and made you more of the best person you can be. Then, as you reflect on all those who have left an imprint on your heart and life, I hope you will go forward and leave some marks of your own.  It is those same little things that will bless and uplift all those around you!

Often, when we think of leaving our mark, we think of something big–some grand action or deed.  However, I am convinced that the best way to leave a mark on this world, is to do something for someone around you.  It is always the little things that make the biggest difference.  So, go and leave your little marks all over those you know, love, and meet.

The kiss, the hug, the kind word, the encouragement, the love note, the fist bump, the high five, the pat on the back, the good morning text, the smile and so much more leave a mark on life!  And life is so much better because of it!

I wash the lipstick off the glassware, but I can never wash it off my heart!  I am thankful for all those who have left a permanent mark of love on me!  I am forever grateful for the little things that add up to so much!  Thank you!

Jim R. Jacobs
Jim R. Jacobshttp://www.drivinglessonsforlife.com/
Jim R Jacobs is a brave creator who strives to do mighty things! Jim is a Certified Daring Way Facilitator helping others to live more brave and authentic lives! He is the author of Driving Lessons For Life: Thoughts on Navigating Your Road to Personal Growth. Jim speaks professionally, and coaches others to success and living with integrity. He is a counselor, educator, innovator, father, and friend. Please check out Jim R. Jacobs and Driving Lessons For Life and find Jim on social media! Let's connect and dare mighty things!

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2 CONVERSATIONS

  1. There is no doubt. life is made of small insignificant happiness, like tiny flowers. It’s not just about great things, like studying, love, marriages, funerals. Every day small things happen, so many that you can not keep them in mind or count them, and among them there are grains of a barely perceptible happiness, which the soul breathes and thanks to which it lives.

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