My husband and I given blood every 3-4 months since we got married in 2005… because I think it’s super important… everyone’s civic duty… like jury duty. Except that instead of waiting 8 hours in a room full unhappy people you get to give three people life AND get snacks afterward.
FREE SNACKS!!!
You should schedule an appointment right now.
Go.
OK, now that you’re back, I’ll finish my story.
So I’m the table giving life blood and the nurse keeps looking at me. I’m thinking that I must look shocking without my makeup on or that I have poop smeared on my shirt. She finally asked my parents’ names.
Um?… OK?
I told her and she said, “That’s it!! I recognized you from pictures your mother showed me.”
It turns out this nurse worked at my mom’s general practitioner over 5 years ago at an office that was over 40 miles away.
But she remembered my mom.
And loved her.
It’s crazy to me that I keep meeting people who have somehow been affected by my mom’s life. I have received cards in the mail from people I’ve never met, who feel compelled to tell me what a great person my mom was to them.
But I guess it’s not so crazy when I think about how my mom truly cared about people and lived the kind of life that touched everyone who came in contact with her.
It automatically makes me reflect on my life.
How could it not?
Are my actions, words, and blog posts adding to the noise?
Or are they loving, encouraging, and inspiring my friends AND strangers.
Now, I’m not saying that you have to be perfect, or “on” all the time.
I am saying that if you are genuine, if you love, if you have general goodwill for people, then being impactful will just come naturally.
Make sense?
It made me think of a song called “Adding to the Noise.” The lyrics say, “What’s it gonna take to slow us down to let the silence spin us around?… If we’re adding to the noise turn off this song.”
What does it take for me to slow down?
Silence spin around??
HA!
Often it feels like I can’t just “be” anymore. When we are watching TV and a commercial comes on, I pick up my phone and go on Instagram.
REALLY!?!?
Is it even possible for me to sit and be bored for like 3 minutes?
Apparently not.
But I want that.
I want my mind to be OK if I’m not being entertained.
What is adding to the noise in my life?
It doesn’t have to be something bad like a sin, just things that prevent me from the Small Things that really matter.
So I guess what I’m saying is, if there is “noise” in your life, turn it off.
Even if it’s this blog.
If its adding to the noise, turn off this blog.
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shelly @ behind blue eyes says
It’s crazy what a small world this really is. Funny, when I was in the military I was stationed near Seattle and a friend of mine was stationed in Florida. While there, he made some friends and one of the friends saw a picture of the two of us. The guy was like, ‘hey how do you know Shelly?” This random guy just happened to date one of my friends in high school. The funny thing is, I grew up in Michigan.
My life is full of noise too. The sad thing is, I will pick up my phone in the middle of a show; I don’t even wait for the commericals. I’ve been having a really hard time finding balance in my life. I for one, need to definitely cut out some noise.
Julie @ Girl on the Move says
Such a great reminder! I’ve really spent time this summer thinking about what parts of my life and what parts are just there to fill time…I want my life to be filled with impactful things and so I am working on cutting out the noise. And it feels really good
Kelly || Old Blue Silo says
I like this post.
I have a lot of noise in my life. I need to sort through the noise. And turn it off 🙂
Your blog is not noise.
I am terrified of giving blood. Needles in general, really. I hope I can be brave enough someday to donate blood. You and your husband are doing a great thing!
I’m glad I stopped by. Have a good weekend! 🙂