Pleasantly Surprised
Every year around the end of July/beginning of August, something miraculous happens in our back yard. In one small corner of the yard, flowers shoot up out of nowhere (seemingly overnight), their stalks ranging from 18 inches to 2 feet in height. They are called "surprise lilies," and the name fits. We've been in this house for 11 years, and each and every year, I've been surprised. Maybe I'm just too caught up in the day-to-day management of life, so when I find time to walk around the back yard, these flowers time their arrival perfectly, kind of like friends jumping out from behind the furniture to wish me a happy birthday. For about a week, they grace our lawn as the most beautiful plant on the entire property. Then... they're gone... just as suddenly... but leaving very pleasant visual memories in their wake.
When one spends his time researching, coaching, training, and writing about office politics, it can be very easy to focus on negative behaviors. So, instead, let's all think of one way in which you can pleasantly surprise another individual today. A casual compliment? A card? A cup of coffee or a soda? A thank you? My dad always quoted the old adage, "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." I'm positive it works in office settings as well. Whom can you pleasantly surprise today? How will you do it?
Lilies - now that is a nice surprise. Thinking about your suggestions reminds me how our lives become even more enjoyable when we do things for others. Somehow it does all seem to come around one way or another (and I'm not speaking about tangible benefits!).
Posted by: ann michael | 04 August 2007 at 03:19 PM
You're so right, Ann. Just the act of genuinely being kind to another person has an infinite ripple effect.
Posted by: Timothy Johnson | 05 August 2007 at 12:41 PM
What a fantastic thought. So easy and obvious but one in which we all need to be reminded. Lucky for us we get those reminders in the middle of our busy lives.
Posted by: April Groves | 05 August 2007 at 06:44 PM
April - often the "easy and obvious" eludes us... glad I could add some small value in the lives of other busy people. ;)
Posted by: Timothy Johnson | 06 August 2007 at 09:18 PM