There’s Always a Good Time to Think of Others

Who Has Helped Make You You?

Think of all the people through your life who have had an impact on the person you are today. From the doctor that helped deliver you into this world to the family you were born into and, there are literally thousands (if not more) who have had both direct and indirect impact on your life.

School teachers, co-workers, neighbors and the circle of close friends. Your spouse’s family and even for some of you your ex-in-laws have sometimes added branches to your family tree. Librarians, athletic coaches, golfing buddies and many more are easy faces to remember and for most of them, you have a story you could share with others about who they are and what they mean to you.

But really, how often do you think of them?

Today is the 13th anniversary of my Dad’s death. I think of him often but if I was being honest, it’s probably not every day. We all have people in our lives that are (or were) special to us but for whatever reason – most likely life getting in the way – we don’t always have them at the top of our mind.

When I was running regularly, I would think of my father every time I would approach a traffic light that was red and suddenly would change to green, allowing me to keep running and not have to stand on the corner and jog in place like many people you’ve seen from the comfort of your car. As the light changed, I would look towards the sky and say “Thanks Dad.”

It was my special way to think of him every now and then and it always brought a smile to my face and sometimes a tear to my eye.

Lately I haven’t been running as much as I should. Perhaps the below freezing temperatures here in Central Ohio have something to do with that or more realistically, it’s just a lack of motivation on my end. Whatever the reason, it means that I don’t run up to traffic lights as much any more so I needed to create a new reason to think of my father.

But why just stop at my father? What about all the other important people in my life who impact me daily?

There’s Always a Good Time to Think of Others

I’ve used the pages of Carps’s Corner (and The Realtor’s Toolbox before it) to pay tribute to my Dad and other people and much of the positive feedback I get about the blog comes as a result of these personal messages to my readers.  

In 2010 it was a short message along with a photo of me and Dad. In 2011, perhaps one of my most read posts ever, I shared the 11 Years of Lesson’s from Sean’s Dad. Last year I brought my video camera to the cemetery and posed the rhetorical question “Who Are You Talking To?”

Today, I wanted to share some thoughts about how we all can use something we see every day to bring us a pleasant memory or spur a meaningful contact on-line through email or one of the social media channels, via telephone or even in person. Even something as simple as “I’m thinking of you” can make a huge difference for both parties.

Can’t see the video above? Click here.

What are your special “times” that you see on the clock and think of someone else? Share one or two down below and who knows…maybe you’ll have some additional positive vibrations coming your way from all of the loyal readers of Carp’s Corner.

As always, keep building relationships, solving problems and having fun.

PS – I thought it was neat that at the time I shot the video today, the temperature at the cemetery was 13 degrees.

Nice touch, Dad.