As you go through your day, keep 'people notes.'

Take note of people’s names, little tidbits of information about them.

I worked for many glorious years with a special man named Tack Mayfield.  He has a heart that takes in everyone in the world, and an incredible mind that remembers names and information about people.  Tack can see someone after years, and remember their name, their sister’s name, how old they were when he first met them - or how old he was -  and on and on.
I cannot.  My mind doesn’t hold a candle to Tack’s.  

However, I found that my cell phone - and yours -  has a wonderful tool that is probably with you most all the time.  It’s the Notes app.

That little app allows me to keep notes in folders.  For example, I travel on Etihad Airlines a lot, from the US to Abu Dhabi.  So I have a folder, Etihad People.  In that folder I add a heading of a date I traveled, from what airport to what airport, and list the names of the flight attendants/crew that I met on the flight.  

Amazing how many times I meet a crew member again, and can go back and find them and a little tidbit about them - “from Romania, loves to cook…”  And, after the flight, I can write a little thank you email about those folks to Etihad.  

I have a folder labeled, “Doctors and colleagues” to remember who I met at what meeting… and one labeled, “East Texas people” to remember servers, sales clerks, and others met in the course of going about my errands and days.  (Tack would most likely remember - I may not!)

And I have a folder labeled, "Ideas", where I note something I hear that is valuable, something important, and ideas.
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It all helps my love shine through.  

​And, if you’re not as good as Tack, keep people notes on your phone!  

Going through today, why don’t you see how many people you can get to smile.
Often, your smile is all it takes.

Sometimes a little more connection is needed.  Comment on something to connect -  to the seemingly sullen clerk who is not even making eye contact with you - “I love your earrings.” 
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To the lady in front of you in line who is unloading her basket as her child is fussing, “Your baby is gorgeous!”  That’ll get a smile most every time.

To the coworker who seems to be having a hard morning, “I’m going to get a cup of coffee - may I get you one?” 

To the person approaching the same door as you are, “Please” as you hold out a gracious hand to indicate he should go first.

To the toll booth operator, “You are doing a SUPER job.”

To the maintenance man or woman, “Thank you for keeping this place so nice.  Thank you for your work!”

See how many you can win!  Their smile just warmed their heart and yours!!

I am the love leader.

In my dental practice, my most important role is loving the child patients, the orthodontic patients, and, the parents of these.  Funny thing, loving the moms and dads IS loving their children.  

It’s easy to think of the patient needing your attention, compassion and excellence. Actually, the parent needs it even more.  It is the parent who wonders if he is “doing the right thing” for his child.  It is the parent who needs to trust me, so the child can feel his parent’s trust.

It’s the parent whose heart is lying on that dental chair.  It’s the parent whose child looks to that parent, the person the child trusts the most, for assurance that all is ok.  

What a wonderful job I have.  LOVER.

And to you, 
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Love!

Dentists who treat children have a great opportunity to change the lives of many of these children. But the dentist needs to know what to do and when to do it.  Here's a great way to learn this using our online course. ​

Sometimes you get up earlier than usual and find a fresh morning, free of the weights of yesterday.  

Sometimes you enjoy that steaming cup of coffee in your hands, and in the sips you take as you revel in the solitude.

Sometimes you notice the quiet that you otherwise rarely have.

Sometimes.

The sun comes up to a new sparkling morning.

Hold your morning, with open hands and open heart.  

This week, you could make your mornings special.  "It’s just a regular day,” could be “It’s a splendid, sparkling day.”

Betcha your splendid sparkling day will surprise even you!
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Here’s to that great cup of coffee and your brightly shining day!

Our human nature - our ego - is confusing.  You feel the emotions of anger, resentment, extreme emotions.  It’s difficult to see or feel “past” those strong emotions.  
Yet, those emotions are imprisoning you. 
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“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” ~ Catherine Ponder

The next time you feel an extreme negative emotion toward someone, begin to think of forgiveness.  Forgiveness in that there is “no more debt.”  Forgiveness in that you move on, in freedom from those emotions.  

Forgiveness does not have to say that the other person did nothing wrong.  Forgiveness has to say that you are free, that there is no further debt holding the two of you together.

Forgiveness. 

Freedom.

Hold it gently, mull it over and move into the light.