Slow Dance

    


     Awhile ago I posted this poem and my comments below on another site. I felt than that it had so much meaning for all of us. This poem was written by a teenage girl in New York City who was undergoing cancer treatments. I started this site and the promise cards, because I felt that all of us can make a difference in the world. Sometimes the smallest things can touch people's life. This poem was a gift from this girl to all of us. It made a difference in my life, and I'm sure many others as well. I don't know what happened to this young girl. I hope she is doing well.

Slow Dance

By an anonymous, but very special young woman

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids.

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain.

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day.

On the fly?

When you ask. How are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done do you lie in your bed.

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child.

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste, not seen his sorrow?

Ever lost touch.

let a friendship die.

Cause you never had time.

To call and say, Hi?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere.

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day.

It is like an unopened gift, thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower.

Hear the music.

Before the song is over.

     Most of us, including myself, seem to rush through life. Fighting for the next promotion, the next opportunity, while never really taking the time to savor each moment of our life.The girl who wrote this poem is very sick, probably in pain, and most likely fearing the end of her time in this world. Yet she had the time, the strength, the courage, and the love to reach out to all of us. To reach out with a simple, yet profound message. Life is precious. Live life to the fullest.

     I would like to send my own message to this wonderful young lady. I don't know your name. I wish I did.You should be proud of yourself. Most people go their entire lives and never really make a difference by touching the lives of others in a special way. Your poem touched my heart. It helped me realize that maybe I should slow down. Maybe I should tell my wife I love her more often.Try to be more patient with my son when he wants and needs my attention. Just once I will try to realize the precious gift of life we all have. Thank you for your gift. I wish you well, and God bless you.

This poem was sent by: Dr. Dennis Shields
Professor: Department of Developmental
and Molecular Biology
1300 Morris Park Avenue
Bronx, New York 10461

Promises

   I will be posting all stories which I receive from visitors who have performed a random act of kindness, have helped someone, or have reached out to others.  I've always believed that small gestures and small kindnesses are the most meaningful. I received this story from Li at Flash Fiction. I hope you enjoy it.

    "Last year, I was waiting to be seated at a restaurant. There was an elderly lady waiting behind me. The hostess came over and said "Are you two together?" I said no.She said "no, I'm alone." I'm usually horribly shy and anxious, but I thought how sad, and faintly ridiculous, for each of us to sit and eat a meal alone. So I asked if she would like to join me. She beamed! We had a nice lunch and a lovely conversation. I paid the tab when she went to the restroom. She insisted on buying me a bar of chocolate on the way out. A simple thing, but we both had an enjoyable meal and the gift of companionship."

     I love this experience that Li shared with us. I can imagine that the elderly woman may eat alone a lot of the time. I guarantee that the lunch had a special meaning for her. Sometimes the smallest acts make an incredible difference in people's life. You just never know. The woman most likely talked about the experience for days to everyone she knows. The great thing is that Li had a wonderful experience, along with a fantastic memory. Life is full of wonderful experiences such as this. We should all look around every day, and keep our eyes open for opportunities.





I Promise

 

     Welcome to my first post. Be sure to read the About page to learn learn a little more about the Promise Cards. Picture random acts of kindness with a new name and a card you pass along. To get this Blog started I've listed five things which I've done for other people, and then given them cards. Some seem a little crazy, but they do make a difference in peoples lives. 

1. Buy umbrellas and keep them in your car. If you see someone getting soaked, give them an umbrella. Don’t forget to then give them a promise card.

2. Buy supermarket gift cards. Search the store for someone who looks like they could really use it.

3. Pack and extra sandwich before leaving for work. Take a walk at lunch. You’ll be surprised at the number of people you’ll see who could use it.

4. Adopt a family for the Holidays. You can even be a secret Santa. You’ll end up having the best Christmas ever.

5. My local grocery gives what’s called gas points with purchases. The more you spend the more you get off a gallon of gas. When my gas points get high, I’ll wait by the pumps until I see someone who looks like they can use them. I’ll then tell the person that I don’t need the points, and they’re ready to expire.