A Minute of Reflection

Jenn at Sweet Pea Stitches has written a post on her blog that has hit home with me, and I whole-heartedly agree with. I encourage the stitching community to take a few minutes and read what she has to say and consider the impact of what a few kind words can do.

Have you ever seen an award on a blog that says: “If I read your blog, consider yourself awarded” or “If you read this, consider yourself awarded.”? First, how would I know if you read my blog if you don’t leave comments? Secondly, how many people would actually “take” an award and post it to their blog. Could you see me making a post that says: “I visited so-and-so’s blog and she said since I visited, I could take the award for myself, so here goes!” I think not.

Kind words come in the form of a comment left, a link to someone’s blog, or passing on an award. It’s easy to just say “if you read my blog, consider yourself awarded.” or “I can’t just pick 5/7/9”. It takes less time to pick a few blogs or make a few comments, than it does to put together an exchange item. Yet, the impact is the same... You’ve made someone’s day. And it only takes a minute.

With the closing of LNS’s and large box stores reducing inventory of stash, our stitching community is becoming smaller. It’s up to us to encourage and keep it alive. You can do that by leaving comments, passing on awards according to the “rules”, or taking time to post to a group. RAK’s and PIF’s are nice, too, but let’s not forget the online interaction. It only takes a minute.

When I started my blog, it was for me to keep track of what was going on in my life and to show off my stitching. I never dreamed that I’d have a “following”. Nor did I write it for that purpose. Based on emails and comments I receive, it seems I do have a small fan club (For the life of me, I know not why!) Whenever I get an email or comment telling me how much they like my blog, it makes me feel good. It only took a minute.

I don’t have many “finishes” to show off and I don’t participate in a lot of exchanges due to time constraints, but I do take time to visit blogs and give encouragement if I can. Hopefully, I can make a positive impact on someone’s life, even for a minute. Everyone likes positive reinforcement and a little brightness to their day. Since we can’t see the other person, How do we know they’re not having a bad day and that ONE comment may turn it around? It only takes a minute.

Who knows? Maybe something I say will impact another in a positive way, and I love that thought! So go ahead... “enable”, uplift, and encourage another. It only takes a minute.