We’ve probably all heard the challenge about doing good deeds and not getting found out. If we do something for praise or acknowledgment, that’s a different feeling than if we do it to bless someone, knowing no one will know but us.
My neighbors have a rosebush that’s on the edge of their yard, right next to our property line. They both work, they have two small children and they keep very busy lives. They are very sweet people and great neighbors if I ever need anything.
Keeping up with their landscape beyond mowing is a little bit hard for my busy neighbors. When it gets bad enough, they have a big yard day and take care of everything at once.
Their roses have a creeping vine that completely takes over them by about this time every year. Usually I notice it on one of my walks, when it’s gotten so bad that it finally catches my attention. If I can, I adjust my morning plans to take care of it.
Today was the day! I finished my walk and I started ripping those vines out of their rosebush. This bush is taller than me. I’m guessing it’s nearly seven feet at the tallest point. It’s quite a job and it is a rosebush, so there’s definitely some scratches and thorns involved.
Much of the vine coils around the branches and can be tedious to remove. But sometimes, I can tug on the vine and get a good pull of 12 to 24 inches of weed. That’s especially satisfying and makes the job go quicker.
When I’m standing in their yard and driveway, making a big mess throwing weeds everywhere, I always hope I don’t get found out. I think it might be a little bit awkward for both of us. Sometimes they work night shift, so even if a car is home, they could be sleeping. I haven’t gotten caught yet. I just do it when I feel led to and it all seems to work out.
If they’ve ever seen me doing it, they’ve never said a word. I’ve never mentioned it either. I figure it’s a small thing I can do, give a neighbor an hour of my time and a little sweat.
It took me an hour today to pull all the vines out, get them raked up, and put into a trash bag. I enjoy those roses probably as much or more than they do so I really don’t mind helping out a little.
I love the phrase that to build self-esteem we must do estimable acts. We do things that demonstrate being a good human, repeatedly, and we feel better about ourselves. This is how strong integrity is built also.
We do enough things to build our egos, but building self-esteem is quite the opposite intention. I’ve got plenty of ego I’m still trying to decrease, so today it was nice to do something estimable, give the gift of time and assistance for someone else and not get found out.
When’s the last time you did a good deed that went unclaimed? Do you suffer from low self-esteem? Here’s a win-win situation! Look around and see who could use just a little bit of your help, love or care today. You can build self-esteem and help someone simultaneously.
Need ideas? Did a new neighbor move in recently? Maybe you could secretly put a plant or care basket on their doorstep, with a welcome note?
Do you have a widow or widower in your sphere of influence that you could buy a card for? You can write in it, telling them they are so appreciated and thought of. Maybe you can add, “Thinking of you makes me smile.” You can sign it, “Your Secret Admirer,” or “A Caring Friend.” Then secretly put it in their mailbox or on their porch. Maybe there are some other cards you could send out to people worthy of receiving a random, bright note of love and encouragement?
If you shop at Aldi‘s, do you ever leave the quarter in the cart for the next person so they can get a tiny, but pleasant surprise? Maybe in a public bathroom where the counter is all wet, you can take a few extra minutes to use paper towels to wipe it dry for the next person. Patrons will appreciate it, even if they don’t realize you did that for them.
There are a number of ways to randomly bless people and help them have a better day and you will grow your self-esteem and integrity as a result.
This is how our spirits mature, as we realize we're not just here for ourselves. We are here to leave an imprint. We have gifts, talents and purposes, yes, and we’re here to leave those gifts and make an impact in that way. But there are plenty of simple things we can do daily, where we make a difference in other people's lives.
I realize this may come across as me tooting my horn about the rosebush. Unfortunately, it’s the only way I can communicate the lesson with an example. (I trust you won’t tell my neighbors.)
Go build some self-esteem and integrity today. Do a good deed and don’t get found out. It may feel so good that you want to do a few more.
I would LOVE to hear all about your secret missions in our
FTG Readers Group. I’ll be checking today and this week for your stories. Be love, be well!
