are you a welcoming person?

 Pope Francis is a most welcome sight for most people, why? Because he reaches out to them, he listens to them, he gives them what they need the most: his attention, his smiles, his concern!


Imagine yourself on a talk show. Unbeknownst to you, there are people there who have known you throughout the years of your life. They have been prompted to say on a backstage microphone anything they want to about you. As you get seated, you eagerly wait to hear what will happen next.
So...what will be said about you? Do you picture yourself receiving pleasant feedback? Would there be happy memories from those who are participating? Maybe even happy tears of joy, words of gratitude?

Or would there instead be words of anger, of hate, of sorrow that leave everyone in the room cringing?

And how about you? How would YOU feel?

I often find myself playing these thoughts out as I watch life unfold in the many ways it does. There are those who always take the time to make others feel as if they are the most important people in the room. There are others who feel that the electronic gadget we call a smartphone is the most important thing they have in their entire existence. I kid you not. I cannot tell you how many times I see people at a gathering and they all are doing the same thing: ignoring each other for that deck of cards sized toy! I have witnessed people being asked to volunteer for this or that, only for them to reply that they are "too busy." What you give away always comes back to you. What if, as the saying goes, God gave you everything that you thanked Him for yesterday....what would you have right now? Did you remember to show gratitude to Him? Have you shown gratitude to those around you?

It is common knowledge that the one thing that spouses crave from each other, but receive very little of, is recognition and gratitude. "Hmph! I spent all day waxing the car, did she care?" or "I filled up his gas tank, did he notice?" or "I created this recipe from scratch, does he even stop to thank me?"
We need to focus on what is happening around us! Not only that, but to reciprocate in kind! "Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you!" is not just a cheesy saying embroidered in a frame, it's a fact.

 Give. Give of yourself, of your time, of your attention. Give without expecting a reward, paying attention to those who need your help. Kneel down and look a child in the eye. Hold out your hand to someone who is lonely. Smile at one another. I guarantee you, if ever that day comes when you appear on a talk show, the words that follow may just amaze you.
For good...or....not?