Dear Friends,
I once had two girls get into a knife fight over which one would ask me to dance. I'm honestly not making that up, it was at Fred's Dance Barn in Southern Illinois while visiting my friend Scott Strobbe. Yet while two total strangers were willing to risk life and limb for the chance to court me, I've had girlfriends who wouldn't bother to say thank you for nice dinners, roses, or gifts.
We live in a society where the unknown is more appealing than the here-and-now. We appreciate more what could be than what we have. How quickly what makes us swoon with appreciation one day becomes simple expectation the next.
Today while taking a walk I happened upon a young lady whose car had a flat tire. She had never changed a tire, didn't know where the jack was in the car, and was desperately pleading with passersby for assistance. But, people just kept walking. Some crossed the street so they wouldn't have to look her in the eye as they continued by.
I've only changed a flat tire twice in my life, but I stopped to help. Hey, I was wearing a Superman shirt after all.
Like I said, I haven't changed too many tires in my life so it might have taken me a bit longer than a trained mechanic, but in about ten minutes I had her flat in the trunk and the spare securely on the car.
The young lady thanked me profusely. She didn't pay me in cash, she paid me with her kind words. And, to be honest, that is exactly what I needed. There is a huge reward in knowing you have helped another person in need.
On the flip side, I was recently asked to review a play directed by a friend of mine. Rather than point out the flaws of the piece, I focused on the positives. Aspects of the production that couldn't be addressed positively, I simply didn't discuss at all. When the review was published, the director didn't thank me for ignoring the negatives stressed in other reviews. Instead he took a position that not enough praise had been focussed on him personally. I was informed then that this person I had considered my friend has announced he will set out in an attempt to ruin my reputation - knowingly publicizing lies about my character.
A young lady could not thank me enough for changing her tire - because it was not expected that a stranger stop to help. A friend sets out on a personal vendetta for my not offering enough praise - because he expected me to be overly biased in his favor.
I guess it's human nature to appreciate the kindness of strangers over the kindness of friends. But it's also within our power to analyze our own actions - it's within our power to pick up the phone and call our friends, loved ones, and co-workers to say "thank you" without needing a specific earth shattering event as motivation. What we tend to take for granted are the people who are always there for us; shouldn't it be that because they are always there for us that we appreciate them even more?
As always, you are my family. And, I thank you for your support and encouragement. I appreciate you.
Peace Love Trust
rikki lee travolta
Review other RLT commentary
It's All Relative
Stand Against Racism
Writing About Life
Crazy Pants Travolta
Gregory Hines
Everwood
Book Excerpt: Bus Fare
Learning to Stand
A Time of War
Country Charm
Talking Frankly About Family (& Christmas)
My Fractured Life
Forever Love
Good and Evil
Man Behind the Wheel
The Little Engine that Could: A Memorial
Perceptions of Perfection
Personal Decisions
Responsibility in Communication
You Done Good
Duality of Man
Evolution of a Hero
Reason to Quit - Stop Smoking
Beware of Stalkers
Dare to Dream
Do The Right Thing
Dealing with Abuse
Mother's Day
Right to Choose
Support the Cause
Just Try
Virtue of One
Martin Luther King Jr
Free Form Jazz
Creating the News
Great Expectations
Story of a Life
Acting 101
Why I Cried
Personal Values vs. Monetary Value
Broken Hearts
Dignity over Jealousy
Community Responsibility
Life, Honesty, and Integrity
Drug Withdrawal
Christmas Spirit
Rikki Lee Travolta's debut album!
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