Don't they look nice against my office wall color?

Yesterday I was typing away at what I thought was going to be this week's blog post, when I heard a knock at my front door.

2:45pm?  Who can this be?  It's too early for my kids to be home from school.  And they wouldn't be knocking on the front door.

While I work out of my home office, I don't generally answer the door during work hours.  But since I wasn't expecting anyone or anything (and since the blog post I was working on wasn't really going anywhere), I thought maybe I should check it out.

I opened the door and there was a long green box.  From a florist.

Huh.

It's not my birthday.  Not even close.

It's not my anniversary.

It's Wednesday.  Just a Wednesday.

My brain can't figure it out, so I open the box. 

A huge spray of purple orchids.  Wow.  Oh my.  They're beautiful.

Who's it from? 

I open the card, and it's from my business coach.  Congratulating me on a big success I had last week.

I'm speechless, and nearly had to sit down.  Tears came to my eyes, but I carefully carry the precious buds to the kitchen to put them in their accompanying vase.

This stunning display of color, beauty and generosity made a huge impression on me (and not just because it's been below 0 degrees F where I live for the last three days).

Generosity.  Authenticity.  Beauty.  Gratitude.  All values of mine, all reflected in Jenny's amazing generous acknowledgement of me.  (And she can't have known my favorite color is purple) 

What does my story have to do with you?

Acknowledgment matters.  A lot. 

Most people (e.g., your employees, your spouse, your children, the grocery clerk, your waitress, etc.) are hungering to be seen, known for who they are, and acknowledged for their efforts. 

It doesn't have to be flowers.  A simple thank you will do.  It's all about your recipient. 

Giving regular authentic and meaningful acknowledgment of those around you is a powerful tool for good.

Know that you can shift a person's whole day (or possibly their whole life) with a simple recognition of the smallest (or largest) contributions.

And so dear reader, in the delight and spirit of this unanticipated bouquet of flowers on a freezing day in winter, I want to acknowledge and thank you. 

Whether or not we've ever met in person, if you're reading this, I know that you're someone who cares about your world, big time. 

You make meaningful contributions to the world, and you have a huge heart. 

And you're making a difference, every day, in both large and small ways: in what you do and how you be.

Thank you for doing that, your version of making a difference, for me.  For us.  For the world.

And I'm so grateful and honored if my work might help you do more of what you are here on earth to do.

So thank you, Jenny Shih, and you my readers, for believing in me and what I'm wanting to create in the world. 

In the comments below, I'd love to hear from you:

– Who in your world needs your acknowledgment today?  (hint: everyone!)

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