I think he was very smart, but I’m not really sure. He seemed smart to me, but I was a kid. I am sure of this: He was socially very awkward. He was a grown man, but he didn’t have a real job or a lot of friends. Actually, I never really met any friends his own age. He lived with his daddy, who was smart, and quite urbane. Maybe he had some form of autism, but they didn’t call it autism in those days. He was called “delayed.” “Jimmy’s quiet,” they would say.Read more

Professional networking is often viewed as taking advantage of people we know. We think of it as “using” people to gain access to other people in positions of influence – primarily to get us what we want. But I believe it is kindness when networking is applied as a two-way street or reciprocal courtesy. I am outgoing. I will introduce myself to complete strangers and start a conversation. Some people, though are shy, introverted, or just uncomfortable and don’t know what to say. Read more

I was with a friend, discussing a project on which we were collaborating. We took a break and chatted for a minute or two about how her daughters were always at odds. The younger one was always interrupting, wanting attention, and following the older girl everywhere. The older one had little patience with that and either ignored the younger one or "talked down" to her. She’s a lot like me. I like to focus on the big picture and don't want distractions. In groups, I have to make an effort to remember the needs of others.Read more

When I was growing up there were a lot of kids in my neighborhood. Really, it was more like hordes than just crowds. We lived in a town with standard half-acre lots arranged in blocks thusly: house, front and back yard, driveway, next house, yards, driveways, house... and alleys ran between the backs of the houses. The alleys for the garbage trucks to drive through and haul away our trash. Across our alley was the treasure of the neighborhood. There were just two houses on one end of the block, then: an empty field, about 2 ½ lots wide, stood undeveloped!Read more

There was a small child at the drug store the other day. He was walking with an elderly person – maybe a grandma or great grandma. Grandma wasn’t walking fast enough to suit him so he started running up the aisles to the end and then back to where she was, up to the end, and back to her, up to the end…, “C’mon, Oma! Come! On!” She’d move her walker forward and shuffle toward it. “I’m coming, Child - slow down.” As she came closer to the end of the aisle, the child began to run around the end to the next aisle, coming back to peek around and see the grandma’s progress. Read more

Keaton is a child in the church I attend. He’s got a helping heart. It’s part of him that requires no lesson, no prodding, no inducements. He’s a small boy, but he’ll take on any big task when he notices someone needs help. He notices if another kid is lonely or new or upset, so he sits by that kid in class or invites the kid to be his partner for a game or on the play yard. He notices if his adults need help around the building and either just does what needs doing, or if he is too small, he asks how he can help. He always wants to help prepare and serve meals for the homeless shelter. Read more

My cousin sent me this story:
“One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really, sincerely friendly. Read more

My friend has the heart of a child, even though we are growing alarmingly old! She is a mental health therapist and helps people deal with mental and emotional difficulties in their lives. A strong proponent of Fun as Healer, Sid encourages her clients to make time every day for a little fun. She, however, doesn’t have to force herself to do it. It comes naturally to her. I remember years ago, while studying to become a therapist, she was given an assignment to research the reactions of people who witnessed something that was unusual.Read more

The sweetest things come from children! Once I was ill and in the hospital. After a week, I was discharged to go home. As often happens when you’ve just been released from a hospital, I really didn’t feel up to cooking, cleaning or doing much of anything that required staying awake. My friends and family delivered the goods when it came to feeding my husband and me, running errands, doing laundry and keeping the house tidy. Their get well wishes came in the form of actions that helped me to keep up the house and my strength as I recuperated. To this day I remain grateful for their support.Read more

A couple had two cats. They were taking a trip out of the country for about three weeks and needed someone to watch the house and care for the cats. They engaged a young man who was preparing for his tests toward his teacher’s certification. The couple thought he would be a perfect house sitter, as he was a large fellow, tall and strong. He would seem a little intimidating to passersby, even though, as a “dog person” he was not particularly comfortable with cats.Read more