He went on to tell her that her former schoolmate had said she was a remarkable woman. He had been observing her life for many years and said he was particular taken by the love and care she gave to her family and to her dying husband when she was caring for him.

As he continued to tell us all what this man had said about my friend, she teared up and was touched to know the impact she had made on someone she didn’t even know was watching her life.

She is a remarkable woman. The man who validated her didn’t know about the validation experiment, he just wanted to tell her what an awesome example she had set as she quietly lived her life.

Yup…I’m loving this validation stuff!

My progress has been in leaps and lapses but I am progressing and making validation an integral part of my life.

THANK YOU, ERIC AND TINA!!

Then it was my turn. I ordered my first item, cut extra thin–and felt a tinge of guilt doing that with another 5 or 6 people now queued up behind me. My second order was also, special cut…as was my third.

What was amazing to me was that she never flinched or showed any frustration the whole time she was waiting on me (or the others in front of me). So, when I had my last package of cheese and was able to tell her that was it for me, I added this: “Except to say how exceptional you are at what you do. It has been very busy, but you have waited on each customer as though they were the only concern you had. I feel very cared for, and I just wanted you to know you are doing an awesome job.”

She smiled and said, “Wow! You just made me smile! Thanks.”

It was incredible.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is that none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The people who have made a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They’re the ones that care. Now take a second look at that second part of the quiz. Reach out to those people and validate them before it’s too late!

We were at Wal-Mart picking up a few things and decided to add a couple sodas and a candy bar. As we were checking out my son looked at the lady behind us and greeted her with a polite hello and a smile. She returned the greeting with a warm smile and some chit chat. As a side note, wasn’t I the proud mother to have raised such a handsome, polite, and sociable teenager! They can be hard to come by these days. While we were checking out I realized I didn’t have enough money with me. The treats would have to be put back on the shelf. Bummer.

To our surprise the lady behind us said “I’ll pay for them.” !!!

We were so blessed by this simple kindness, we talked about it half the way home. How is it that a couple of sodas and a candy bar can give so much happiness? Could it be that these simple acts of kindness happen to each of us so infrequently that we are shocked into a stupor when they arrive?

Think about it. What simple act of kindness can you do for a complete stranger today? And don’t forget to tell us about it.

I got to thinking about what’s behind that design. At first there are high-level considerations that are very easy to see:

1. The design simply shows you how to plug in the cable.
2. It keeps you from plugging it in wrong, or damaging it while trying.
3. It’s just good design. It’s some engineer’s job to accomplish #1 & #2 above.
4. If the video game company didn’t pay attention to things like that, then parents would eventually stop buying that system if their kids kept breaking it and they had to replace or repair it. After one repair I know I would be tossing it out the next time.

OK, that’s high-level. Underneath that there is this: That design brings JOY to children every time they plug it in and get it right. They can play their video game. Forever. This is actually a very old system, and my kids still enjoy it.

So that’s really my point today. Something that we might not give a second look at actually has a much deeper purpose in life. It delivers invisible joy. The recipients are unaware of the mechanism, yet, they experience joy nonetheless. Now, children have a lot of invisible care and provision given to them, of which they have no idea how those things happen, or that they even need to happen. Food, clothing, shelter, and keeping them on schedule are a few basic examples. But what about you?

The older we get, the less invisible joy there is, to a great extent. We’re taking care of ourselves, now. We’re on our own. Although it doesn’t disappear thanks to family and good friends, it does get more difficult to find, and to experience. And therein lies the call to action today.

What invisible joy can you go out of your way to engineer today? What would it take to bless someone with that? Are you up to it? What invisible joys could you give gratitude for today, ones that you are overlooking in your everyday hustle and bustle? Take a second look at the ordinary all around you. Invisible Joy is everywhere! Be a part of it.