“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.”
~ Henri Nouwen
finding merle 
You find the best quotes.
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Thank you! 🙂
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You’re welcome! ❤️
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🙂
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Beautiful. Thank you!
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Thank you, Lulu. Have a great day!
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I always get a bit nervous when I start pontificating on someone’s blog. In general, I try not to, but sometimes I can’t stop myself. Anyway, I believe that the tree in your photograph is an American sycamore. Look here for help in identifying it: http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/american_sycamore.htm
If not, your image was close enough for that memory and to produce my smile. 😀
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This should have been attached to your reply… Oops…
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No worries. 🙂
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No worries! You’re welcome to pontificate. Your comment about not being able to stop yourself made me laugh. 🙂
I think you are right about the tree but will check with the owner. It’s a lovely tree and produces spiky pods I am writing about now. Glad the tree brought smiles your way. 🙂
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I love the smell of a Sycamore in the rain. That will put a smile on my face.
Henri Nouwen was onto something with his words. I love to give compliments to folks I meet along the way, because it always puts surprise and a big smile on their faces. In this big crush of humanity we seldom take the time to speak to those we meet in passing. Don’t know’em, ergo, nothin’ to say.
Nothing to say?
You haven’t a clue as to how their day/week… year has been going. Chances are, if they aren’t smiling it is a sure sign that they need one. A genuine compliment will go a long way to sparking that smile and will probably be a returning gift throughout their day. Don’t be shy and don’t be stingy either; share a smile with a stranger every chance you get. And don’t be surprised if that smile keeps coming round on your face during the day too!
Thank you for the smile, Karenlee. 🙂
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Oh my, this was a joy to read! Thank you for such a thoughtful response, Lynda. A “Sycamore in the rain” is such a lovely image. I completely agree with the idea of talking to people we don’t know. It can be so refreshing (because I firmly believe we are all more alike than we are different).
I had to learn how to become adept at this working in dental hygiene for 33 years. We’d start out as complete strangers but after an hour, we’d be smiling, laughing, and many times, we’d become friends. Humor can be a fabulous ice breaker. I used to say things like, “Was that you or me?” when I’d hear their stomach growl during a cleaning. It always brought smiles. It’s really hard to do in that setting, but in my job (retired now), that was my goal, that each person have a smile on their face by the time they left my room.
Let’s keep sharing those smiles. Thanks again. ❤
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