Sometimes people can surprise you.
Jenna Caputo & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
I think we all have felt at one time or another that we're just rolling through life, doing our own thing, and no one else really notices. And sometimes that is the case. We are so caught up in our own lives and worries that sometimes we forget to take a minute and pass on a compliment to tell someone else how much they mean to us.
I was reminded of how important it is to do this a short while ago when I received a very unexpected and fabulous surprise myself.
A few students from one of my dance classes knew I had a birthday coming up, and as an early birthday gift, they surprised me with private dance lessons with Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff from Dancing with the Stars. I was so floored & in such disbelief when they told me that I walked out of the studio that night without my IPOD, notebook, or shoes with me! I couldn't believe that someone would go through so much trouble just to get me a gift they knew would be really special. To say that I felt touched would be an understatement. I was so honored that someone outside of my own family would think enough of me to do that.
Karina Smirnoff & Jenna Caputo
I was beyond excited throughout the upcoming week and I could hardly keep my mind focused on anything. Finally the day came and it ended up being a perfect day. I didn't get stuck in massive traffic like I had feared. I managed not to get lost. The weather was fantastic. Maks and Karina were both very nice without a touch of the "celebrity air" about them. It was a dream come true to be able to dance with two dancers that are ranked so high on the top ten list in the world. I learned a whole new way of looking at my dancing in just the short amount of time I had with them. My only regret was that I could not spend more time with them to get in a good full day of training. (And, that my students could not be there to share in the fun!)
The timing of this little adventure could not have been more perfect. The two weeks prior to my day with Maks had been horrible. It was one of those weeks when everything was going wrong and I was about to my breaking point. But when I heard about my unexpected gift, it suddenly made everything more bearable. Instead of getting crankier and crankier every time something else happened, I would just shrug and say, "Whatever, I get to dance with Maks on Friday!" and it didn't seem so bad. It just goes to show that everything happens for a reason. And, my heart fills with joy everytime I think of my students and what they did for me.
So the next time you are thinking about someone, tell them. Don't forget to take that moment to be kind to someone else or to let someone know they are appreciated. It will likely mean more to that person than you will ever know. And yes, it does pay to be nice.
Photos Courtesy of Silverpen Productions (c) 2009
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