A Tisket, A Tasket a Doctor and a Basket!

Last December, after much consideration, I decided to do something nice for my doctor.
I know, I know...it sounds kind of strange; especially when many are already overpaid and sometimes have questionable practices. But hear me out here.

While most folks dread going to the doctor due to all the prodding, probing, pain and impersonal treatment, my experience over the last few years has been different.

Besides being "easy on the eyes" my physician is funny, warm, patient and compassionate.
Dr. "P" has a great bedside manner and a very calming effect.
In many ways, he is his own form of medicine.

Because of this, I wanted to convey my respect and regard for him.
But, allow me to digress a bit here.
Last year, when my brother died it hit me like a ton of bricks.  His unexpected and untimely death left an emptiness I can't explain.
It also taught me to give folks their flowers while they are living.

I never really got the opportunity to tell my brother how much of an impact he had on me in my development as a woman and now I never will.
But I CAN do better in sharing warm, wonderful thoughts and gestures with others (in the spirit of what his death taught me).

Fast forward...

90 days after my initial doctor's visit, I needed to come in again for a routine screening.
Busy, as usual, he was training two of his assistants and sharing some procedural info.
Then all of a sudden he pulled out his cell phone. Which was strange for him.
With a wide grin he said to them: "Guess what someone did for me for Christmas?"

Dr. "P" then went on to show images of the Xmas basket I had given him with his colleagues.
He told me that he was so excited he took pictures and shared it with just about everybody!
He let me know that in 10 years of being there, no one had ever given him a gift before.
He was clearly touched.
Go figure.
Here's a man who earns a six-figure salary who was moved by my small gesture of kindness.

The moral of the story here?
Small acts, kind words matter.
In a day and age where we have so many horrific things happening (many of which we have no control) we can CHOOSE kindness.

Truth is, we just never know what issues, insecurities or burdens somebody is dealing with, that  perhaps could be ameliorated simply by something positive we say or do.
And it takes so little to mean so much.

As writers there's even more.
We have the opportunity and platforms to promote good; inspire change; combat stereotypes; champion worthy causes; to widen the "lens" by which others see the world.
We can and we must use our "powers" for good.

In fact, there's an organization and a movement dedicated to random acts of Kindness.
Read more here:

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

If you're on board, here are some

SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER:

• Give a compliment.

• Volunteer.

• Donate to a charity.

• Make a blog comment.

• Forgive a grudge.

• Refrain from gossip.

• Share the gospel to give hope.

• Start a "GO FUND ME" page for someone in need.

• Run errands for someone elderly.

• Be a mentor.

• Give benefit of the doubt.

• Be a beacon.

• Attend a book signing for a local author.

• Listen attentively.

• Spend more time with friends and family.

• Let someone else have the spotlight.

• Make someone a meal.

• Be less critical of others.

• Share laughter.

Get the idea here?

Here's my small part, a starting point.

Won't you join me?

Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

NOTE: I'm releasing this post early so I can "pencil" in a possible vacation soon.:-)