More than four years ago — several months before she left a literal career lifetime in the banking industry — I taped a picture and eight words onto my sister’s kitchen door.

 

At the time I taped it there, she was utterly miserable. Her job drove her up the wall (not the job, but the manager she was forced to deal with, who was a total jerk) and she always came home looking and feeling exhausted and empty of any enthusiasm for living a single day longer. In fact, I think she wanted to die. Life had become an endless slog and nightmare to her.

 

I was really concerned about her.  I wanted her to slow down and focus on the things that brought her joy and smiles — the family she had brought into the world: her son, his wife, their two daughters. I knew she needed to remember WHY she was still here.  I knew when she retired she would be replaced. That’s what happens. She had given her life’s energies to making her workplace a success, and it had taken everything in her to do that. She was running all the time, and running on fumes.

 

So, I found a fun image of her granddaughters and me with two of my goats, Laverne and Shirley. In the image, the goats are dressed in reindeer antlers and the girls are feeding them apples.  It was an image taken years before, but it was a delightful shot, and brought me a smile, so I figured it would do the same for Jackie.

 

Indeed it did.

 

In fact, to this very day, she has never removed it.

 

That  astounds me.

 

Here’s the image:

 

The attempt to reach her at a deep level was certainly there, but I have never before been able to do that.

 

For some reason, this image and those eight words did.

 

I see them every time I come back through the door to my side of this “duplex” we share.

 

And I realize they’re words she took to heart.

 

They’re words to live by.

 

From that day, she slowed down, looked for what gave her joy, and focused on those things. Her family, friends and favorite activities: pickleball, wallyball, mowing the lawn (yes, mowing the lawn on a riding lawnmower), and having lunch and other outings with friends.

 

It has changed her forever in every good way. She is healthier, happier, and I never see her down in the dumps.  She wears herself out still, but while doing what she loves to do instead of putting it off to do what she also needs to do. She’s still a hard-driving boss; she drives herself a lot.

 

But I think the image and words on that ever-present “reminder” continue to invite her to slow down and let happiness catch her.

 

It’s probably the best thing I have ever given her in my life.

 

I’m glad she’s enjoying life again. For too many years, she wasn’t able to. Her work responsibilities kept her always on edge and wound up in one way or another.  She looked and acted old.

 

Not anymore.

 

She’s glowing these days.

 

Is there anyone in your life who might respond similarly to the same sentiment, alongside an image that reminds them of something they truly love?  If so, feel free to borrow this idea.

 

Lots of people are going through tough times right now. Find a way to remind them that you’re in their court and wishing the best for them.

 

It couldn’t hurt!  And it may well help!

 

You have nothing to lose…