"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Dancing In The Rain ....

I saw this quote today and I HAD to share it with you...



“I firmly believe in small gestures: pay for their coffee, hold the door for strangers, over tip, smile or try to be kind even when you don’t feel like it, pay compliments, chase the kid’s runaway ball down the sidewalk and throw it back to him, try to be larger than you are— particularly when it’s difficult. 

People do notice, people appreciate. 

I appreciate it when it’s done to (for) me. 

Small gestures can be an effort, or actually go against our grain (“I’m not a big one for paying compliments…”), but the irony is that almost every time you make them, you feel better about yourself. 

For a moment life suddenly feels lighter, a bit more Gene Kelly dancing in the rain.”  


Jonathan Carroll (Author-born 1949)

HAVE A GREAT DAY MY FRIENDS AND REMEMBER TO START SINGING AND DANCING IN THE RAIN!!

 Love, Chatty

69 comments:

LL Cool Joe said...

This is very true. I'm not good at making compliments either, but whenever I do I always feel better about myself as well hopefully making the other person feel better too!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love this SO much. Yes people do notice and appreciate and it makes a huge difference. And then they in turn do the same. It becomes wonderfully contagious :)

MadSnapper said...

I agree with this 100 percent. does swimming in the pool in the rain count? we like to do that if there is no lighting

Willow said...

Beautiful ~ and funny I was just singing
"These are a few of my favorite things" right before I popped in here !!
Love this.

Kim said...

That is so very true. Sometimes it is the smallest gestures that mean the most.
BTW - I love that movie

Renegades said...

I totally agree that small gestures have huge effects on a person's day. What a great motivating post.

Terri D said...

An awesome post! It is so very true!

Sandee said...

I've danced in the rain more than once and loved every step too.

Have a fabulous day filled with laughter and smiles. :)

Cathy said...

Very good advice!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sandie I love this quote! So true and a big part of my life! hugs to you sweet friend!
Linda

CLAUDIA PERSI said...

Love, love this kind of posts. :) So true!
Take care

CLAUDIA PERSI said...

Love, love this kind of posts. :) So true!
Take care

Gail Dixon said...

Great advice! Small, kind gestures cause a huge ripple and make the world a much nicer place. :)

Sharon said...

The line that I just loved:

"...try to be larger than you are."

Really great advice. Little gestures are often rewarded with big heart returns!

XO

Rose said...

After the terrible bombings in Boston, my daughter went to Dunkin Donuts and bought tons of $5. certificates and handed them out to all the Police Officers while walking to her office to show appreciation for all their devoted work to the city.

I just love this post! A kind deed is never overlooked.

Cranberry Morning said...

That's a great quotation, Sandie, and today I will have lots of opportunity to sing and dance in the rain. We're getting wind, rain, and cold temps! Brrrr.

Shelly said...

Now that is terrific! Made me smile~

Theresa Mahoney said...

Yes, so true! I always wonder if I am being "too" nice to strangers, but I don't care. I'd rather make someone not like me because I am overly nice than because I am a witch. Love this post today!

Anonymous said...

I watched that movies so many times. It was Great.

We are in for 4 days of rain .

I can sing the song but my dancing days are over unless a miracle comes. Rght now I have two left feet, ha.ha.

Oh Rose said her daughter did what I am reading. Great job.

My hubby does that on Sat to some of his chums and there is like 8 to 10. They have a coffee place not the regular one Rose mentioned.

This post is really a good deed blog.

Thanks Sandie.

Lynn said...

Very nice, they sound like words to live by for sure:@)

Karen Lange said...

This is so true! I have noticed that people open up more when you do this - a bank teller suddenly becomes more personable, a server is more helpful, etc. Not that you do it because of this of course, but it's like a friendly ice breaker that helps things along. A friend once told me that she always tried to treat people kindly in this way, for it may be the only example of Jesus they see in a day. That stuck with me.

Have a great week! :)

Connie Arnold said...

I absolutely agree with you! It's a win/win situation - you help someone or say something nice, which makes them feel better and you feel better about yourself. The next time it rains, maybe I'll be singing and dancing because of you!

Wanda's Wings said...

So very true!!!!!!!!!!!

NanaDiana said...

That is such a great idea...all of them are great ideas, really. Love it, Sandy! xo Diana

jack69 said...

Yes, you are on target. The nice things stick out. Always good to do them and bless someone who may be fighting a battle you know not of.

Love it. Love Gene Kelly & his dancing in the rain.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great post Sandie... The little things in life we do for others are more important than the big things, aren't they?????

I certainly enjoy dancing and singing in the rain --throughout life.
Hugs,
Betsy

Jim said...

I agree with you, Sandie. Being mean in return doesn't help very much, for sure not the relationship. Unless it is a bully and you beat him/her up. That might work.

I was bullied last night by a 'problem person' on my Facebook. She made a hurtful comment about my age on another mutual friend's page.

I told her that wasn't very nice, that I didn't say bad things about her age. She de-friended me and took the whole thing off the other's page.

Today she slipped in another snide remark, I "liked" her comment. At least I wasn't being bad in return but she knew I had read it. We will see.
..

Ann said...

This is very very true. It's amazing what a little kindness can do for the spirit.
I let some lady go ahead of me in line the other day. It was no big deal, I was in no hurry. Before she walked out of the store she gave me the biggest thank you. A little kindness that made us both feel better :)

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

I love this viewpoint of life, living every single moment to the very fullest and to share good thoughts and kindness with those around us-beautiful!
I wish we all did this every single day!
Love,
Jemma

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Pay it forward is a wonderful idea - and it happens more than people think it does. Great post.

barbara woods said...

I saw this on Facebook, hugs

barbara woods said...

I saw this on Facebook, hugs

Nonnie said...

Love the quote. One of my favorite sayings is "little is much when God is in it." And I believe every small act of kindness with God's love goes further than we can ever imagine.

Susan said...

Those were good thoughts, Sandie. We all need to do a little more dancing in the rain, don't we? Susan

Theresa said...

So sweet! A little kindness goes a long way, doesn't it? Have a blessed week dear friend:) HUGS!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Love it.

TARYTERRE said...

I always overtip if the service is good.

Paula said...

I do give compliments often. I'm sure not perfect but I do like people to know I appreciate what they do or like seeing pretty clothes on someone. Nice entry,

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Such a lovely thing to think of- dancing in the rain!
I cannot wait to dance in some mud puddles too
love
tweedles

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

The picture, the words......., just perfect, Sandi. It is always the little things in life that give the most joy. Kindness costs nothing, but will enrich both the giver and the receiver.

Rob-bear said...

Instead of waiting for the sky to clear, learn to dance in the rain.

Blessings and Bear hugs!

Carol said...

I loved your post!

betty said...

I love that quote. It really does make a difference indeed. I can't tell you how surprised people are when I tell them to go ahead of me at the grocery store when they have 2-3 items and I have a shopping cart full. Such a simple thing and they really appreciate it. I'll try to do more singing in the rain (but then I live in a desert, small joke here :)

betty

BECKY said...

♫♪♫♪♫♪ I'm singing in the rain...just singing in the rain...♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪

Thanks, Chatty! :)

Lee said...

A lovely thought...now I'm going to go out and dance in the pretend rain...we need rain here badly...and goodly! :)

Susannah said...

Honestly, I try to do these things. I try to think of others before myself. I try to help the little kids in the park...I try...I try ..sometime I get so crazy busy that I forget but really I do try! I hope it catches on and I think I have left a good example for my children and grandchildren. I really think it is the little things that get noticed the most - even a kind word! Can you tell it is my bedtime?

Ms. A said...

This is something I try to do all the time. I don't know that it makes me feel better about myself, but it definitely helps people remember me the next time they see me. (especially at the hospital)

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Little things do mean a lot!

Suzan said...

Good Morning Sandie!!
What you wrote is so very true!! It's just a smile in the hall or picking up a pencil that someone drops. Last winter every one was into "an act of kindness" and it seems that those little act of kindness have fallen by the way side. Hope all is well with you and yours!!

mail4rosey said...

I do my best to make small gestures like this a regular part of my every day. :)

Buttercup said...

Sweet post. I had to smile, Sandy, but now I'm so worried about falling in the rain that I don't think I'll be doing much dancing. But I will singing! Have a great Wednesday.

nancygrayce said...

Thankfully, it's not raining here....so I'll just dance!

Debbie said...

Oh, how I love this one, Sandie! I feel that if God himself spoke in a still small voice, how much more will our still, small gestures speak Him to others.

And now, I have the song stuck in my head. Thankfully, I get to sing in th sunshine today.

Whooops. Another song now stuck...

Jeanne said...

Love your quote! So true!!

Unknown said...

You're so right...small gestures can make such difference in somebody's life. Have a lovely day!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

xoxoxoxo

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Lovely.........

Art and Sand said...

I taught my children to "pay it forward" and they both have many friends because they are such a good friend to everyone.


I enjoy doing little things for others. I say I do it because I am selfish - I like how I feel when helping others.

Catherine said...

Dear Sandie, If everyone followed these rules the world would be so much happier.
I hope this note finds you feeling better my dear. Blessings, Catherine xo

Saleslady371 said...

Small gestures mean the world sometimes especially if your love language is works of service like me. My husband is good at this.

Marie said...

I love this and I do this. :)
Marie

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

One of my most cherished memories is of my children when they were about 4 and 5, were outside...it started to rain....and my aunt told them play in the rain! They got filthy, but they had a ball!
I do try to give that smile, or a unexpected gift. It is a blessing to me!!

Donna said...

Awww...Thanks friend!!
hughugs

Lucy said...

I am so glad I clicked on your blog today. I just have a much better attitude and your post just helped me along. Thank you

forgetmenot said...

I always love your "positive thoughts". Makes me feel like I want to dance in the rain too. Have a great weekend, Sandie. Mickie :)

Tweedles -- that's me said...

lets dance more!
love
tweedles

Hootin Anni said...

...every kindness is always appreciated. And my motto is to do it as a gesture and want nothing in return!!!

Well done Chatty C [Sandie]

Starry Dawn said...

Hi Sandie, sweet dear friend,
I agree with you in every way.
To praise, to compliment, to say nice things, to uplift one's spirit are things that many folks should begin to exercise. The world is filled up with rude and unkind people. We need a world filled with specially wonderful people like yourself, to make this world a better place to live. You always bring the best of you, uplift the spirit of your friends with joyful and positive entries, making someone smile today. Well, I have had shared my point of view about your great post. Let's dance in the rain! Let's sing and dance all the time! Have a great and blessed week with your loved ones, Sandie, dear friend!
A little bit about me, my hubby will RETIRE at the end of 2013. He'll soon take his remaining vacation time, so he'll be spending more time at home, and demanding my personal attention. So, I'll spend less time in the computer, and more time with my hubby and our 3 cats. I also make plans to travel to NEW YORK for a family reunion with my daughter and 3 grandchildren in the near future. Hubby and I make plans to eventually buy a new southern home in the country side, and eventually have more animals, like dogs, cats, some horses, etc.
This is the main reason why I may not update my sites, or do visits the way I would like to.
Of course, I shall return whenever I can, because I love my friends.
Please, wish us good luck with our new ventures and dreams for a better life in our old age.
God's richest blessings may always abound in your life, Sandie, and your beloved ones.
Please, give my best regards to all our common friends.
Until we write again.
Warm Hugs & Many Blessings,
Poet Starry Dawn.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

I have no problem paying a compliment I prefer it to paying a bill......I also am a big one for smiling.