Stand Tall and Lift Others with you

You can stand tall without standing on someone.
You can be a victor without having victims.
-Harriet Woods
This sentiment appears on the signature block of a friend of mine and I’ve always loved it. If we are lifting others (each other) up then there are no victims… we are all victors in rising. For when we lift another – our hands are raised skyward acknowledging our “smallness,” and at the same time our strength in the lifting. And sometimes, we have to allow others to lift us.Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
A smile sent our way should never go unanswered – it should always be a dual blessing – though we should never expect its return to us. Some things naturally return to us in kind or in multitude simply because we’ve been the first to offer it. The shy and uncertain need to be bolstered by the light of your eye, acknowledgement and dawn of a bright smile.
I try to put this to practice – even with strangers – if someone looks lovely in something – why not say so? In the withholding, we’ve withheld love and kindness. I believe these things dawn on us because we are meant to share them. Even the man or woman who appears to have it all together may only be holding on by a thread. So lift high your beautiful smile, kind words and your neighbor today. Enjoy!