I opened the door to the apartment this morning and stepped out to get the newspaper. Alongside the newspaper was a small envelope ... from our newspaper carrier. I glanced down the long hallway and saw everyon'es paper neatly placed in front of their door ... just as they are every morning ... and a small envelope tucked in at the top.
The eyes are the windows to the soul. And the soul contains all your hopes and dreams, your happiness ... and our collective sadness as a nation right now.
How many people pass through our lives every day, and we never acknowledge them ... by looking into their eyes? Remember the line from the movie Avatar: "I see you." Such a seemingly simple statement! "I see you." Simple, yet powerful. I see you. I acknowledge your presence in the world. And from the movie The Help: "You is smart. You is kind. You is IMPORTANT."
I see you.
Yes, I could leave an envelope outside my door, and the next day, it would be gone. But tomorrow, I'm going to wait outside for the newspaper carrier to come. I'll hand them an envelope of my own, and thank them for their perfect performance all year long. It's not that I want them to see ME ... I want to look into their eyes as I say a heartfelt, "Thank you!" and have them know that I truly mean it.
Newspaper carrier. The girl who makes your coffee. Bus driver. And when we're working in these high-dollar law firms, surrounded by The Suits, we see them every day ... the girls who keep the bathroom spotless ... the maintenance men who change light bulbs, or bring in power strips for us ... the crew that starts their workday at 5:00 p.m., perhaps on their second or third job, sitting in front of the elevator, polishing the brass to a high sheen so that the next high-dollar client will be impressed.
Stop! Look them in the eye TODAY and say, "Looks great!" If they don't speak English, a simple thumbs-up will make their day.
Through your words, your actions, and your eyes, please pass this simple sentiment along to three people today: "I see you. You are important. Thank you."
Warm regards to all.
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