Recognizing One's Gift

David Wagner's book called out to me in a little gift shop on Maui several years ago.  I felt the author's energy as I turned to the title page and saw his autograph, "My best, David Wagner."

Leafing through the first few pages, I could see that Wagner and I were on the same wavelength.  We agreed on how we should treat the people who enter our lives, whether for the long haul -- like family, friends, students, and co-workers, or for the short term -- like cashiers, wait-staff, and fellow travelers with whom we have brief encounters.  And, David and I agreed that we each should make our own day so that we could be available and able to make others' days. I had been delivering the message of extreme self-care for years, especially for teachers, moms, and folks in the helping professions.

My being a daymaker had never crossed my mind. This was a new concept. But, I did recognize that people seemed to respond favorably to my brand of interpersonal interactions.  Maybe that's my gift, I thought -- being able to make people's days with a bit of kindness, cheer, compassion, and genuine humanity.

Who or what has made your day this week?  For whom have you been a daymaker?