Somebody’s Watching You

It was just a passing moment.

Someone had been complimented on her makeup and accesories.

She laughed it off in disbelief.

"Yeah, right."

As if the compliment couldn't possibly be true and the person giving it wasn't seeing clearly.

As we all were departing, I said gently, yet matter-of-factly, "Somebody’s watching you."

I didn't mean it in a weird way.

I meant that someone had noticed the effort she put into herself, her style , attention to detail.. . her nuances.

Let’s get to the heart of it.

I wanted her to know something we all need to be reminded of from time to time:

The very thing you dismiss may be the thing someone else admires.

We are so familiar with our gifts, capabilities, and strengths that they stop feeling like gifts.

The patience that comes naturally to you.

The kindness you offer without thinking.

The way you encourage people.

The way you keep your word.

The way you carry on after disappointment.

The way you continue showing up when no one applauds.

To you, it's just who you are.

To someone else, it's hope.

Sometimes we assume our impact has to be grand to be meaningful.

It doesn't.

People are watching . . . weather they acknowledge you or not.

They're learning from how you respond to setbacks.

They're encouraged by your consistency.

They're inspired by your resilience.

They're noticing your integrity when no one else seems to.

You may never know whose perspective shifted because of your example.

Or that what feels ordinary to you became unforgettable to someone else.

Don't dismiss your ordinary.

Somebody's watching you.