Week 1 Challenge - Appreciation

Group: Women Helping Women

Written by Melinda White on Feb 15, 2009 12:52 pm

Read More: Leadership | Personal Development

For the next year, I'm going to post a "challenge" on Sunday for the coming week. It will either be a question for you to think about and answer, or something to actually "do" and then comment on here with your results.

I have chosen something "to do" for our inaugural challenge because it's something that I feel very strongly in, and will help everyone build a stronger "life network".

There are many people in our lives that are quietly doing something special for us, our families, or our communities. These unsung heros are rarely thanked for what they do. I've started out with my story, in hopes that it will inspire you for this week.

I don't own a dog, but many people in our townhome community do. We have a constant problem with people not picking up after their pets. Our homeowners association has sent out countless letters, instituted fines, placed "doggie-drop off" cans stocked with plastic bags all around our greenspaces, yet we still continue to have problems.

One day I happened to be looking outside my office window (which is on the 2nd floor), when I saw something very strange. My neighbor across the street had two plastic bags in her hand, and was going up and down our street picking up the aftermath of dog visits to everyone's yards. Yes, everyone's yard, not just hers. Now, this woman doesn't even own dogs. I thought this might be a one-time thing, but sure enough, a couple of days later I saw her again.

The next day, when I was baking bread for the week, I made an extra loaf and took it across the street and rang her doorbell. She looked puzzled and asked if she could help me. I gave her the warm bread and said, "I want to thank you for cleaning up our neighborhood. You are appreciated, and its time you were recognized in some small way for what you are doing."

She claimed that she didn't know what I was talking about, and I replied that I appreciated that she cleaned up after she took her dog for a walk.

"But I don't have a dog!" she exclaimed.

"Exactly." I replied as I turned and walked back home.