Last week I wrote about the “Power of We” and that power was never more evident than last night. During the Tampa Bay Lightning game I had the privilege of accepting the Lightning Foundation Community Hero Award surrounded by my family and friends. At every home game the Vinik family chooses one person that has done extraordinary things to benefit the community. That person receives a $50,000 grant to donate to their chosen charities. While Bring Smiles to Seniors could only keep a small part of it due to our very small operating budget and IRS foundation rules, we were able to put the power of we in action to benefit others as a result of our work.

Last evening not only did I get the opportunity to explain to Mr. Vinik (the owner of the Lightning) what we do, we got to share the message of our program with 20,000 fans in attendance and a broad network of people watching the game across the country. We had the opportunity to share with others the importance of remembering those that paved the way for us and the added importance of making sure that children are a part of the process. In addition, our grant benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of my dad who was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. The grant also benefited ALS in honor of Bonnie’s aunt (the person who nominated me for the award) who is dealing with the disease. We also benefited A.F.I.R.E of Pasco County, a day school for developmentally challenged adults who have been so good in sharing their ideas with us since our program was founded.

As an added bonus to the day, for the first time my entire team that keeps the Bring Smiles to Seniors program alive was together in one place. Linda, Renee, Diane, Liane and Becky, amazing examples of the “power of we” that I have ever known. Without them, there is no way that this program would have ever been possible.

The we doesn’t stop there however. Every card artist, decorator, donor, supporter and participant in the program were a part of last night’s award. As I told Mr. Vinik, my day job feeds my stomach but the program feeds my soul. We are a community of amazing people that have all come together for a common purpose. While the fervor and excitement of last night will fade, the fact that we will carry on to continue bringing smiles to seniors is the most wonderful thing of all. To everyone who supported us to make this incredible event happen, a piece of my heart and a huge thank you goes out to you. Being a part of the “we” that we have built is definitely one of the highlights of my life. I know my grandmother was there with us, looking down on us and smiling.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles today.

Ron

The more time I spend with my mom and dad lately, the more this quote resonates with me. It also really hit home when I was spending time with my grandmother when she was in her senior community. However, where it really hits home the most is when there is someone that we want or need to make contact with and delay for one reason or another, only to wind up with that person gone. It is then too late for us to make the connection that we wish we had made.

We all have busy lives that keep us from doing the things that we want or need to do. However, our lives should never get so busy that we fail to keep in contact and acknowledge the ones that we love. Every day on the news we hear of individuals who were met with untimely circumstances that ended their life way before their time. There was no way anyone could have seen it coming and suddenly all the things you wish you could have said become impossible. That often leaves individuals with a sense of regret that no one wants to deal with.

Ensuring interactions with your loved ones and people that you care about becomes especially important when they are dealing with debilitating diseases or conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia. It is very easy to convince ourselves that it doesn’t matter that we don’t visit because they “aren’t there anymore anyway”. We justify it by telling ourselves that they won’t know we are there and question what the purpose is. In reality, we don’t know what they know. While physically or verbally they may not be able to say to us what they want to say, all you have to do is to look deep into their eyes to know that the person you always knew is still there somewhere.

I have written about this subject before and it seems to always be a good reminder. I inevitably hear from someone that it prompts them to make an outreach to a person that they had been meaning to contact. Sometimes, it encourages individuals to mend a broken relationship that was once important to them just in the nick of time. Other times it just reminds people of the importance of remembering those close to us and to cherish them while we can.

I always say that friends, family and loved ones are on loan to us for this lifetime. They were put into our lives for a reason. They help teach us life lessons. They mold and shape us into who we are. They are what makes our life beautiful, exciting and complete. If you have someone that you have been meaning to reach out to, make that outreach today. Both you and they will smile because you did.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles today.

Ron

P.S. Thanks Debbie for letting me steal this from your post 🙂

Sometimes all it takes is a dream. Walt Disney said that it all started with a mouse. That little drawing of a little mouse has now turned into a multi-billion dollar empire in many countries that keep his dream alive to this day. Howard Schultz bought out a coffee shop in Seattle to fulfill his dream. Now its pretty hard to go a mile without seeing the green Starbucks sign on the side of the road or a building. Both came from humble beginnings and had a little dream that they turned into a very big reality.

I believe as we go through our journey of life we all have dreams and aspirations of different magnitudes. What is it that makes some people’s dreams come true, when others go a lifetime without realizing at least even one of their dreams? How come some have gone on to make their dreams bigger and bigger, while others just look back and say, “I wish I had?” The one common denominator in the people who were successful wasn’t that they just dreamed their dream, they began it. They took the bold steps necessary and the chances that were required to set in motion a chain of events that would eventually make their dream a reality. You can bet along the way there were difficulties, setbacks and adversities. However, they never lost sight of their goal.

Often our dreams are just that, dreams. We dream of winning the lottery, yet we never play. We dream of being a doctor, yet we don’t go to college. We dream of being out of debt, yet we still spend. We dream of retirement, yet we don’t save. The one common element in dreams not becoming reality are that we never began. We never truly made the commitment to the dream and put in the work and dedication necessary to see our dreams come true.

The one mistake that we often make is thinking that life owes us. We believe that we deserve something so it is up to life and fate to deliver it. Unfortunately, it does not work like that. Nor is it near as rewarding when it is simply handed to us. The journey of dream realization is half the fun of it. Learning and growing as we work to bring our dream alive is what nurtures and feeds our soul, makes us stronger and wiser people and helps shape who we are.

Do you have a dream that you have never realized? Something that you have always wanted to do but never took the time or steps to make it happen? If so, the words of Goethe above definitely apply to you. Take that step today. Just one small step towards realizing your dream. “Whatever you can do, or dream you can do – Begin it.” We all have the power within us to make it happen and my wish for you is that your dream become a very big reality!

Have a great weekend and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

Yesterday, I was sitting in the transfusion center waiting for my dad to get his blood transfusion due to a decrease in his hemoglobin. As I sat in the waiting room I watched all the people coming in to get their chemotherapy treatments and blood transfusions. What amazed me most was the number of people of all ages that came in alone. It reminded me of my trips to my grandmother in her nursing home where so many never received visitors at all. It got me to thinking about how thankful we have to be for those that are lucky enough to have family and friends that care and choose to be a part of our lives.

I was touched by the elderly lady sitting there with her oxygen machine waiting to be called for her transfusion. The gentleman signing in that was not sure exactly what to do. Both alone with no one accompanying them. Then there sat my dad with my mom and I by his side, and I realized just how lucky he is and how lucky we are to be a part of his life and show the compassion that he needs during this difficult time.

The unfortunate thing is that many people still have family and friends, they just don’t want to make the effort or are so consumed with their own lives that they don’t put forth the effort to be involved. This is sad for individuals that could really use someone. It is a reminder of how we must cherish the people that are willing to be involved and realize that they are involved because they love and care for us, not because they have to be.

Aging is hard enough for much of the population. When you compound that with having to deal with debilitating diseases or medical conditions that heap enormous amounts of stress on your life, the need for those around us is made that much greater. When we need and no one is there it invites the possibility of all sorts of potential mental health issues that could otherwise be avoided.

So, if you have someone in your life that is always there for you, be it friend or family, recognize them today. Say thank you, give them a little gift, or just let them know that they are appreciated and loved. Not everyone is as fortunate and that makes it all the more important to be thankful.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

Yesterday, I saw a quote on my friend Marilyn’s timeline that said “Don’t let the potential of hurt outweigh the joy of the journey.” This was a pretty powerful message that got me to thinking. Often in life we expect that things are just going to come our way without work or adversity. Why? Because we deserve it and it should be so. However is that really reality?

We all know that many times those things that bring us the greatest joy sometimes bring us the greatest hurt along the journey. Things such as having a child, rising through the ranks at work, building a new home or growing a business. All of those have the potential to cause hurt along the journey to seeing them to fruition, but it is often the journey itself that can be the best part of the adventure. They are opportunities for us to learn, grow and develop our inner selves. They teach us lessons that help us in other areas of our life. If we let them, the journey can be a magical experience.

Often throughout that journey however, we fail to realize the full potential of what we can accomplish because of the fear of the unknown and the chance that we are going to be hurt in the process. We become so afraid of what could happen that we are not willing to take the risk. Yet, it is often that very hurt that builds the strength and character to enable us to enjoy the end of the journey all the more.

Life’s journey is very much like a tree. There are many branches that make up the whole. Some of them are long and smooth, others short and gnarly. Some branches have limited leaves and others are full and robust with foliage. At times the tree is bare and then other times its leaves and branches are so thick with green that you can barely see them. Such is the same with life.

If we are always afraid of the hurt then we never really live life to its full potential. With risk comes reward and often the reward can be far beyond our wildest imagination. We can live a life in status quo, which may work for some, but I believe that most of us want more than that. We deserve more than that. We only get one chance at life and ultimately only we have the power to make it all it can be.

Think of some desire that you have had that you have not attempted to realize simply because it is out of your comfort zone. Focus on the benefits and possibilities and then take one small step towards that goal. Navigate the hurt that will inevitably come along the journey and use it as a powerful tool to get you through the next step and the next. Before you know it you will be able to look back at the many steps you have taken and that which you desired most of all will be there right in front of you.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

On Saturday, after I finished watching the show at The American Adventure at EPCOT, I was leaving the theatre and saw this statue. It was the Statue of the Spirit of Compassion and this got me to thinking. Although we see enormous amounts of compassion in the Bring Smiles to Seniors program, it seems that in other parts of our world compassion has become somewhat passé. Is it that we have become such a “me” society that compassion takes a back seat to everything else? Or is it that we don’t see dividends from the effort, so we just fail to be compassionate?

Sometimes, I wonder if technology has not played a part in this shift away from compassion. The art of conversation is harder to find as we now communicate in ways that have made non-verbal interaction obsolete. It is easy not to care when you don’t have to stare the other person in the eye. It is also easier to have what would have otherwise been considered bad behavior, as there are usually no consequences from interacting with a machine.

One of the things instilled in me most during my upbringing was compassion for other people. Those who were less fortunate than me, those that had been dealt bad hands in life and those who just could not fend for themselves. I was taught compassion for the elderly, the disabled and compassion for my fellow person no matter what their status in life. When that becomes a part of who you are, then it takes no effort to show compassion. You just do it naturally.

Very few people realize the intangible rewards of compassion. Think about the last time you did something nice for someone. How long did that good feeling stay with you? Whether you held open a door, cared for someone who was sick, or simply held someone’s hand to help them through a difficult situation. The good that those things do for the heart and soul may not be easily recognizable at the moment, but the long term effects they have on shaping who we become are amazing.

There is no doubt that compassion is still alive, even if we have to look a little harder to find it. The best part is it usually is free and only requires an act or a gesture that requires very little effort. We all have a responsibility to ensure that compassion never dies. As long as it lives within us, it never will.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles today!

Ron

No, your eyes aren’t blurry. Yes, my friends we have crossed the 30,000 mark for cards delivered this year! What an unbelievable accomplishment for an amazing group of people. To every donor, card artist, decorator, team member, school/civic group participant and supporter we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! Because of you many seniors are smiling.

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There are times in our lives where we get in our heads and hearts that we want to do something and we go at it full force. We take on more than we can handle, give every ounce of strength to our goal and exhaust ourselves in the process. We are so keen on achieving what we desire in the least amount of time possible that we sometimes fail simply because we have taken on too much. It is during these times that the old saying,”Rome wasn’t built in a day” rings true more than ever.

I have always been one of those people that when I want something I want to make it happen immediately. There is often no planning, or waiting. I give it full strength to make it happen now. That usually results in one of two things. Either I failed at what I was trying to accomplish, or I got what I wanted but collapsed from exhaustion in the process. This applies to both my work and personal life.

When I started Bring Smiles to Seniors I started out the same way. I wanted it to be big, reach a lot of people, gain recognition and grow exponentially immediately. I learned very quickly that when you are running a not for profit, not only is there major competition for resources and donations, you are fighting a constant battle of just trying to make ends meet day to day. I had to step back, take a deep breath and slowly build to where we are today, even though we still have a lot of room to grow. Along the way we celebrated our successes one step at a time.

As Martin Luther King said in the quote above, “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” The beauty of that is the more that you do those small things, they eventually come together to become something great. It takes patience, will power and dedication to give what we desire the time to mature and become something fruitful. Trying to rush something faster than its normal due course only heightens the possibility that failure is the end result.

All of this not only applies to our desire to do great things, it applies to our every day life as well. Planning, breathing and taking things one step at a time helps us secure success, far more than rushing just to get to an end goal. Every one us contributes to something in our own way. No matter how small our contribution is, when you put all those individual contributions together, they all add up to something great.

Have a great weekend and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

As we go about our lives we encounter all types of people. Whether it be at work, in our civic groups, encounters during our day or sometimes even right at home. We run into people that are just downright unpleasant. No matter how hard we try to be nice to them, or what courtesy we may extend, what we receive in return is quite the opposite. It makes one wonder just what has happened in these peoples’ lives to make them they way they are.

When a person is mean, it is often associated with some deep insecurity within themselves that is helping shape who they are on the outside. Sometimes it is because life has dealt them a hand that has made them miserable and they just haven’t found a way out of the mire. Often it is behavior that is learned as they were growing up that they were just never able to shake. It can also be because they have a life that they feel they are undeserving of and the only way they can cope with it is to ensure that everyone else is miserable as well.

Believe it or not, we have even encountered mean people in some of our senior community deliveries in the past. At first it bothered us, but then we began to realize that we have no idea what the individual we encountered may be going through. As we age our body starts to ache in ways we never felt before. They may be experiencing pain that we could not even imagine. A disease or condition may be causing them immense discomfort that we could not see on the outside. They may no longer have family or friends to rely on for emotional support. Or they may have just been dealing with their own mortality and were having a hard time doing so.

While seniors have a myriad of reasons that could be driving them to this disposition, younger people who are down right mean should have an easier ability to turn it around. Part of the issue is that they are never called on their actions and are allowed to be who they are because people just don’t want to deal with them. The longer we permit them to be mean without countering their actions, the more they start to believe that what they are doing is OK.

We aren’t born to be mean people. Somewhere along the way it becomes a learned behavior that for one reason or another just never goes away, or one never finds a reason to be any different. At the end of the day that should have no effect on our own personal being. We are responsible for who we are and most of all have a responsibility to continue to be ourselves when we encounter those who choose to be mean. I say choose because at the end of the day it really is a choice.

While there may be life events thrown our way that change our demeanor for the worse, it is truly up to us to ask ourselves whether it is necessary to be so mean and initiate the necessary steps to make the changes for the better. No one enjoys being around a mean person and who really wants to be alone?

Have a great day, be kind in the face of meanness and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

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When I started the Bring Smiles to Seniors program, I did so to ensure that seniors in senior communities were not forgotten and were reminded that they were loved. So many people no longer had visitors, received cards or had other contact from family and friends. Many have reached the age where there is just no one left. What I did not expect was the impact the program was going to have on those people that chose to get involved in what we do and go on this amazing journey with us.

Sometimes life deals us a hand where we just need a purpose. It can be a channel for our creative outlets, something that soothes our nerves or even something that enhances the amazing life that we may already have. We know that we have a place in the world, we just sometimes lose our way in realizing the value that we bring to all of those around us.

I have heard from many of you that this program has provided just that outlet. You have shared your heartwarming stories with me that have helped continue to validate why we work hard every day to do what we do. In bringing enhancement to your lives, you have enhanced our lives in all the various ways that you participate. Compound that with the joy that you are bringing to the seniors that are receiving the cards on the other end and we have developed quite the winning combination together.

We all feel like we want to be a part of something. When when are able to be a part of something that does so much good, it truly becomes food for our well being. I tell everyone that my day job feeds my stomach, this program feeds my soul. Your messages and stories help me to continue to believe that I and every member of the Bring Smiles team have found our purpose.

The unintended consequence of what the program is doing for all those who participate fills my heart with an enormous amount of joy. Watching all of you share your talent with each other and seeing you interact on our posts and blogs shows me that we have created a community of wonderful people all coming together for a common purpose. We appreciate you for all you do.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron