The Small Things

When I walked into work Monday morning, I found a small bag with an A on it. My first thought was that it was on the wrong desk (I share an office with my boss AJ). People are always leaving things on his desk for one reason or another and in the bag was a bottle that looks like the kind home brewers use. That really made me think it was on the wrong desk since I don’t drink.

I decided to open it and figured if it was for him, well… sorry, it was on the wrong desk. Inside was a little card wishing me a happy Human Resources Appreciation Day (the previous Saturday) and thanking me for being dedicated to what I do.

It was the first time I had heard of HR Appreciation Day. At first, I put it off to the side, not exactly sure what to make of it. After a few minutes a text popped up from the other HR person thanking the admin team for the gift. When I saw her text, something clicked. I looked at my bag again and felt a small smile reach my face and a sense of true appreciation. It started my day on a positive note.

You’re probably wondering what’s so special about that. So it made you smile, so what? The fact that their gesture made me smile and feel something other than neutral is HUGE! I locked my emotions down so tight many years ago for self preservation, that I have essentially lost the ability to feel anything unless it’s overwhelming. For years, I’ve been working on being able to reach and recognize my emotions at “normal” levels as opposed to only when they are overpowering, which usually doesn’t leave me in a positive mindset.

So while my little smile may not seem like a big deal to most people, it gives me hope that maybe I don’t have to be confined in a monotone world watching everyone else live in color.