Do you make the ‘small’ people in your life feel ‘big’…or do you use the ‘small’ people to make yourself feel ‘big’?

Earlier today, I read The ARchie Awards, have you heard of them?.........And the Winners Are............. by Marlene Pellegrini...in which she recognizes the winners of the very coveted ‘ARchie Awards'. (To learn more, you'll just have to go read it for yourselfJ) As I read Marlene's post, a certain ‘feeling' came over me...a feeling that took me back to a day long, long ago...to forty-five minutes that impacted my whole life. I'd like to share my special memory with you now.

As many of my readers know, I grew up on Quail Roost Farm, a huge horse farm in Durham County, North Carolina. Even as a child, I knew that Quail Roost Farm was not like most farms. With hundreds of horses, a fully operational dairy, seven ponds and thousands of acres to explore...there was a new adventure waiting for me every day. Oh...did I mention The Quail Roost Conference Center...a 90 acre facility that was located at the top of the hill, across the big pasture, in front of my house?

For at least a year, Quail Roost Conference Center represented a great mystery to me. Staring across the big pasture, I would often imagine what was happening inside the ‘big house'. Then, one day, while pretending to be an Indian warrior who had just captured the enemy (my younger brother)...a golf cart putted down the road in front of my house and came to a stop. I immediately recognized Mr. Phillips, the friendly, big-hearted man who lived in the ‘big house'. He was giving one of the center's special guests, Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee to me), a tour of the farm. He thought my brother and I would get a kick out of meeting her, and he was so right! I couldn't believe that Aunt Bee was on my farm...shaking my hand. As he drove away, Mr. Phillips yelled back to me "Come on up to the house anytime you want a pepsi."

Mr. Phillips' invitation only added fuel to my already burning curiosity...until one hot afternoon...I reasoned that it was a perfect time for a pepsi. As I made my way across the big pasture, I tried to imagine what it would be like inside the ‘big house'. I had been inside the Conference Center kitchen one time before, with my dad...but only for a few minutes. The kitchen ladies had shooed me out the door almost as fast as I entered. I thought to myself..."I hope I find Mr. Phillips before one of THOSE kitchen ladies finds me!"

Entering slowly and quietly through the back door of the ‘big house'...I heard music playing. It was different than the music my daddy played on the radio in the car, but I liked it. Moving closer and closer to the source of the music, I pressed the heavy, wooden door open and peered into the room...full of ladies and men wearing long dresses and black suits. I had only seen people like that on television, and I was in awe.

As I was standing there...in my torn jeans and bare feet...Mr. Phillips spotted me and started walking toward me. He was smiling as he reached down and took my hand...leading me out of the shadows and into the beautiful room. One by one...Mr. Phillips took me around the room and introduced me to those glamorous people...telling them that I was his special friend. Even though I was a disheveled, little girl...Mr. Phillips made me feel like a beautiful princess that day. I've never forgotten that special day, and I've never forgotten Mr. Phillips' kindness to me.

Have you ever thought about the impression that you leave on the people you meet?

Do you build people up...or do you tear them down?

When you encounter a ‘small' person...someone who you deem less important than yourself...do you make them feel ‘big'? Do you present them to the world as your ‘special friend'...or do you draw attention to their weaknesses to make yourself feel more important? When people remember an encounter they had with you, do they remember your kindness or your callousness?

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~Author Unknown

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

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