Good to the Last Drop | Finding Gratitude
If we remain open to learning, we'll discover lessons meant to for us. Some of the most powerful lessons can come from a simple conversation. When these conversational moments spring up, we often don't connect the lesson in our minds until years later, but then there are a few that enlighten us immediately and stay with us far into the future.
When I was fourteen years old, I was homeless and needed to find a way to not only persevere, but I had to make my way through high school, work at my job, and maintain my two-room apartment.
I didn't have much money and learned real quick how to be resilient. I'll never forget the day I had a friend over for dinner; this was a big deal to have my own apartment while in high school, but on a lot of occasions, my friends were eating me out of house and home and I just couldn't afford it...I had to put an end to the "open refrigerator" if I was going to feed myself, so friends had to be "invited" for meals.
On this occasion, I was preparing a meatloaf and veggies...I opened the can of corn and wrestled with the last kernel of corn; it just didn't want to come out of the can. My friend laughed at my actions, which by itself was okay, but then she said, "What in the hell are you doing? That piece of corn doesn't matter. Stop wasting your time. Throw it away."
That was about 50 years ago, yet it still lingers in my memory.
I taught myself a few things that day.
Many times in my life I have felt like that last kernel of corn...people had given up on me...I was tossed aside as if I didn't matter or make a difference.
I decided I did. I think the Maxwell House Coffee commercials helped me make the connection when they said their coffee is "good to the last drop."
I knew I was good and made a commitment to "be good." To be my best in every situation, even if no one else recognized my value. I started to value myself in a new way and personally acknowledge my worth and contributions, and I saw the value in others, even when no one else did. I made an effort to connect and acknowledge their gifts.
Each day I wrote in my journal and added my bullet list of gratitude moments, and I added a list of what I called "observable moments" that included the gifts and lessons I learned from others. This exercise helped me zero in on the strengths we each have rather than our weaknesses.
As you go about your day, observe people differently. Identify their gifts that they bring to the situation, acknowledge them, and tell them how much you appreciate and value them.
Remember, every kernel of corn matters. Don't leave people out...value everything and everyone to the "last drop."
I appreciate you, and please know that YOU matter.
Hugs,
Lisa
The life philosophy of A House With Four Rooms suggests thinking of yourself as being four rooms: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual rooms. It advocates for doing something daily for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.