Not All Roses Have Thorns...

Remember the movie Pay It Forward? (sorry, I know I relate to a lot of movies...)  but It had this incredibly strong message—doing something good for someone without expecting anything in return...with the hope that they’ll pass that kindness on to someone else. It’s the kind of message that sticks with you because it’s simple and something we could all do more of. Truth is, we should be living that way all the time, because those small acts of kindness have a ripple effect far bigger than we can imagine.

That idea reminds me of a story my good friend Kyle told me. Whenever he and his family go on vacation, he makes it a point to buy flowers for his wife. Sweet, right?? But Kyle told me the real reason he would be excited to buy the flowers. As his family prepared to leave, Kyle  makes sure his son hands out a flower to every hotel staff member they come across, as a simple but genuine way to say thank you.

One time, his son handed a rose to a woman working the front desk. Kyle hadn’t noticed it at first, but she was in the middle of getting completely chewed out by a guest. The kind of treatment nobody deserves, but that people working in hospitality (and our industry) unfortunately get all the time. She took the rose, and they went on their way.

Later, as Kyle and his family were packing up to leave, the same woman came running out to their car, visibly emotional, with tears streaming down her face. She thanked Kyle’s son over and over again, saying that she needed that flower more than anyone could ever understand.

That really hit me.

It’s crazy to think about how much someone’s day—or life—can be impacted by something so small. We all go through these silent battles, and it’s easy to forget that when we’re caught up in our own lives. Flowers are a metaphor for any little thing we can do to brighten someone’s day. It doesn’t have to be something extravagant. It can be as simple as a smile, a kind word, a compliment, or picking up someone’s tab. Character isn’t built through big, showy acts—it’s built through those small, seemingly insignificant moments that leave a lasting impact.

When we get busy—especially in our industry, where fast paced closings and overloaded schedules dominate our thoughts...it’s easy to get tunnel vision and overlook this. We start prioritizing our own feelings, our own stress. It’s natural, but it also means we lose sight of everything else around us. I’ll be the first to admit that empathy hasn’t always been my strong suit. I’ve struggled with it my whole life. But as I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize that those little acts of kindness, those moments where we can step outside of ourselves and give to someone else—that’s where real character lies. And that’s a superpower as Kyle told me...

 "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

 - Maya Angelou
               - Paul Francisco

 That’s the dang truth. You could accomplish all the professional goals in the world, but if you never take a moment to make someone feel seen,  or valued, you’re missing something huge.

So today... take a moment to think about how you show up in the small moments. Whether it’s giving someone flowers, a compliment, or just a bit of your time, understand that it might mean more than you realize. Someone, somewhere, needs that small act more than you’ll ever know. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture...just be present...and aware. Remember that real impact is built in those tiny moments we often overlook.

Don’t wait for the “right time” to be kind. Be that person now.

  Fun Friday  

Forward Friday

Do something to change someone's day today.

Cheers!