Day 10: A package in the mailbox
It's easy to have bad days. It could be that you missed your bus, or you had an argument with someone, or even a rainy day spoiled your mood and your plans.
I've learned to become honest with myself when I have those bad days and try to do things that will change my own mood. But sometimes things can surprise you.
Just recently before Christmas, I wasn't having the happiest day. Things weren't going smoothly as I had planned and I felt mentally drained. And as I arrived home I was ready to lie on the couch and eat my feelings.
I did the daily trudge to the letterbox, expecting to find the community paper and maybe pamphlets from the annoying real estate agents in the area, but instead I found a nicely wrapped package - bow and all.
I sighed as I picked it up as it was clearly not meant for me; I wasn't expecting anything. But to my surprise as I flipped the hand drawn tag over, I saw the first line: "Dear Mel".
My heart actually leaped up in excitement as I quickly scanned through to find out who had dropped it off. It was from one of my closest friends, telling me how awesome I was and how she couldn't wait for our trips this year. Suddenly my gloomy day just turned around with a surprise in a matter of seconds.
Often I do think about how to perform random acts of kindness for the people in my life. Whether it's buying cupcakes for a friend returning from a pretty emotional trip, or buying chocolate for someone who you know is having a difficult week - I don't think it matters what you "buy" for them. I think it's more the act that shows you're caring that proves to be more valuable.
I didn't open my friend's gift until Christmas itself, but on that day it didn't matter to me what was inside. What mattered to me more was that she thought about me, and how I knew I was blessed with good friends in my life. It was more than a gift in my mailbox - it was a reminder of happiness.
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For the month of January 2016, I'm writing 31 personal stories about things in my life I'm thankful for. See all my posts during my month of thankfulness here.
