The Encourager, The Realist and The Critic. Which One Are You? Which One Do You Want To Be?

Jonathan Pearson is a millennial determined to leave the world in better shape, and the co-creator of MillenialLeader.com, an online community for young leaders. And here’s what he’s got to say about the people in our lives. Who we are to them, and how we can help. And who they are to us. Read on for a most essential blogpost true to that, below. Thank you, Jonathan!

Change a Life In 3 Minutes: “Maybe Too Soon for You, But Not For Me” – Frances Blaisdell

“Maybe Too Soon for You, But Not For Me” – Frances Blaisdell

That’s how my Oma signed a letter to me, right before I came home from Duke for the holidays. Finals were wrapping up, and she had sent me a note of encouragement. It’s attached with a beautiful cursive unique to my Oma! Since you probably can’t read it, here are some excerpts:

Can You Forgive? Love Like This? She Did.

“God does not have problems — only plans.” – Corrie ten Boom

She was a watchmaker in the 1920s in the Netherlands.

She was never married.

She became a foster parent, taking care of many children in her home.

And her life of giving did not stop there.

The Classic Pamela Positive: When You’re at the Table, You’re Open and Your Defenses Are Down

“People want that gathering together. The table is magical. When you’re at the table, you’re open and your defenses are down.” – Lidia Bastianich, host of PBS “Lidia’s Italy”

Mealtimes seem to be a time of the past. We eat in our cars and desks or even holding a powerbar walking out the door… and yet Lidia points out how we can find deep caring and nourishment at the table.  It’s not just sharing food, but also sharing of our hearts and feelings.  It’s a time to be a sounding board and to have sounding boards…from people who truly care about you.  It’s a time to relax, and yet also profound as some of the most important issues in your life may come out in a casual way.

“…Bright Eyes And Genuine Smiles…Paves The Way For All Kinds Of Things To Happen.” – Peggy Dulaney

“That meeting of bright eyes and genuine smiles is so heart-opening that it paves the way for all kinds of things to happen.” – Peggy Dulaney, Granddaughter of John. D. Rockefeller

Bright eyes, genuine smiles. Can you live this every day?  What if we greet everyone with those two simple gifts.