Just be you and spread your joy

As I listened to a good friend speak at a training event the other day, her words resounded through me. She spoke about patience and understanding as she shared “make peace, practice peace. Don’t let nothing and nobody have or steal your peace.” As she said those words my mind immediately flowed to a couple days prior when I watched little Riyann doing her best to simply be her, while changing other people through joy.

Like many other days, my daughters and I were out and about exploring town, this time Poplar Bluff. As we searched for the next deal on groceries, the ones we really didn’t need but I had convinced myself were essential, I saw Riy begin to separate herself from us. As had became routine with her, when she began separating, she normally walked up to strangers describing how she liked their dress, loved their hair, was impressed by their jewelry or simply though they looked great. Understanding that her intent behind speaking to these strangers was her attempt to brighten their day and make them feel good about themselves I seldom reigned her in.

As I watched her slowly make her way towards an elderly man, my mind screamed that he was not the one. Although, apprehensive, because of the seemingly permanent scowl affixed to his face, I was unable to deter my child from spreading a bit of joy. As Riyann walked up to the man, I watched as she joyously looked up and shared that she thought his hat was very nice and she really liked it. The male said nothing and simply peered down at the child, maintaining the same scowl he came with. The child persisted and while maintaining a smile on her face told the man that she hoped he had a great day. Remaining silent the man simply shook his head from side to side and walked away.

As Riyann turned and returned to her family, she maintained the same smile she bore prior to the interaction. Being unfazed by the lack of reciprocation from the man she began her journey of spreading joy to another unsuspecting citizen of Poplar Bluff. The child did in fact find another who appreciated her assessment and voiced their gladness in meeting her. In similar fashion to her earlier interaction with the man, the child just continued, showing the world this young girl named Riyann, who cared little about the negatives but centered on the content of her words.

Watching this entire series of interactions unfold, as a father, I was a bit taken back by the man’s response or lack thereof but was motivated by the fact that the child did not allow the unresponsive nature of the man affect her ultimate purpose. Simply said, she refused to allow anything or anyone to steal her peace. The fact that the man said nothing in response to her kind words bore little significance, because she relayed the message she had hoped to that day. She was just being her and like she said, “maybe he felt good inside when he got home and that’s all that matters.”

So often we allow external factors to affect the message we hope to share or the accomplishments we hope to see, stealing our peace in a way. Its not until we master the challenge of not allowing anything or anyone to steal that peace, change our view, or take us away from our purpose that we can simple be us. Be your best you my friends, regardless of what’s going on. You never know when the moment has come and gone when the person sits alone that they feel blessed because they saw you that day. Keep being you, my friends.

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from 9 to 29.