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WITandWISDOM(tm) - March 13, 2000 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead, 1901-1978 (E-zine: ANCESTRY DAILY NEWS http://www.ancestry.com ) ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: "JUST BECAUSE" By Cinda Weiss, Mailto:Farm1ady@aol.com Several years ago I was in the hospital for over a month. While I was in the hospital my job was covered by coworkers. I received flowers, cards and visits from coworkers. I received a warm welcome when I returned and help from coworkers until I was re-acclimated. I decided I had to show my appreciation. One day during lunch I visited my favorite florist. She had a beautiful flower arrangement in the cooler. I bought it and had it delivered to a coworker who had been extra caring. I signed the card "Just Because." No name. I swore the florist to secrecy. After lunch the arrangement was delivered and you should have seen the glow on my coworker's face. What a buzz went on that afternoon. Everyone was speculating about a secret admirer and I went along with the excitement. Other coworkers had been very gracious also, so the next day during lunch I picked another floral arrangement and had it delivered - - - "Just Because." The third day another "Just Because" was delivered. What a stir was created. Calls were made to the florist inquiring who this mysterious admirer was. She revealed nothing. What a sweetheart she was. What a wonderful atmosphere in the office. The whole department was teaming to solve the mystery. Warmth and love filled the air. The person receiving the flowers was the special person for that day with all the attention and admiration. With the warmth, love and excitement in the department, I couldn't stop now. The guys were saying "Men don't like flowers -- glad I didn't get any." The next day, one of the guys received a "Just Because" arrangement. You should have seen the buttons almost burst from his shirt. He was so proud to be part of the happening, and loved his flowers. The florist was now catching the excitement. Each day she waited for me to pick that special arrangement for the next "Just Because" delivery. The delivery girl was waiting to make her next delivery. After lunch my coworkers were waiting for the phone call to see who would get a "Just Because" arrangement. Each arrangement was hand selected. I would see an arrangement and it would speak someone's name. What coincidences, one person's "Just Because" arrangement matched the colors in her kitchen, one was made with a coworker's favorite flower, and another was arranged in a black truck which said "TOY" and matched the coworker's own Toyota truck which was his toy. None of this was done with prior knowledge, it just happened. Was there divine intervention, or what? Meanwhile the gaiety, wonder, love and warmth is spreading to other departments. The joy in my heart was overflowing. People were happy, loved, working to their capacity and enjoying the whole "Just Because" happening. The whole event went on for over three weeks. The final "Just Because" arrangements would be delivered after a department staff meeting. I wrote and distributed a special thank you to the whole department and revealed the identity of the secret "Just Because" admirer. The excitement, love and warmth continued in our department for quite some time. The fulfillment I received will never be equaled. The glow on the faces of the special "Just Because" person each day will never be forgotten. You don't have to be that extravagant to see and feel this kind of fulfillment. With a simple smile, a good morning, a good job done, a hug, or even just a thank you, you can accomplish the same feeling in others. They are special for the moment . . . JUST BECAUSE. (E-zine: GRACEMAIL Mailto:gracemail-subscribe@egroups.com) ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: You Know You Live in a Small Town When . . . Third Street is on the edge of town. You don't use your turn signals because everyone knows where you are going. A baby born on June 14 receives gifts from local merchants as the first baby of the year. You speak to each dog you pass by name and he wags his tail at you. You drive into the ditch five miles out of town and the word gets back before you do. You dial a wrong number and talk for 15 minutes anyway. You can't walk for exercise because every car that passes you offers you a ride. You miss a Sunday at church and receive a get-well card. Someone asks you how you feel and listens to what you say. (cccHUMOR Mailto:ccchumor-subscribe@onelist.com) ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: A newsboy was standing on the corner with a stack of papers, yelling, "Read all about it. Fifty people swindled! Fifty people swindled!" Curious, a man walked over, bought a paper, and checked the front page. Finding nothing, the man said, "There's nothing in here about fifty people being swindled." The newsboy ignored him and went on, calling out, "Read all about it. Fifty-one people swindled!" (Tina Gunther via E-zine: BILL'S PUNCH LINE Mailto:bills-punch-line-subscribe@onelist.com) ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: HOW ABOUT THAT BODY? Jeremy Bentham, a British philosopher who died in 1832, left his entire estate to the London Hospital provided that his body preside over its board meetings. His skeleton was clothed and fitted with a wax mask of his face. It was present at the meeting for 92 years. Nobody knows where the body of Voltaire is. It was stolen in the nineteenth century and has never been recovered. The theft was discovered in 1864, when the tomb was opened and found empty. (E-zine: TODAY'S USELESS FACTS Mailto:Useless_Facts- subscribe@listbot.com) |