Thursday Thoughts and Commentary

We’ve all played the One Up game. You know the one where you try to outdo someone else. In true “me” form, I got into a quick game of One Up last night at my rodeo meeting. I smiled and said hi to a stranger walking down the hall, and she said “hi, how are you?” I responded: “I’m outstanding, and how are you?” She said: “well if you’re outstanding, I think I will be fabulous.” We both laughed and kept walking.

I find it humorous that she felt the need to One Up me on the question of how are you. I also find it quite warming that by just saying I’m outstanding, she thought for a second and wanted to One Up me. Sure she could have just smiled, said nothing, or just said ok, but she took that split second to smile and say she was fabulous. But can you see the power that one simple word and the action of a smile can have on someone? It is indeed that easy. Something that simple can change someone’s day. I like the way I saw it written a while back: “be kind to everyone as you may be the only Jesus they ever see.”

Play the One Up game with someone today. Ask someone how they are doing. If they respond I’m ok, challenge them on it. “Are you just ok or are you fabulous today?” I’m 100% certain they will give you a smile even if it is for just a second. We all have the power to change the world with just a kind word and a smile.