“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.” ~ Aesop Life is pretty crazy these days with all that is going on. Our plates are often so full we can feel that reaching out a helping hand to others in need is beyond our capabilities. It is empowering to realize that despite that feeling of overwhelm we can often experience, when we are willing to open our eyes to the wide world around us, taking the focus off ourselves beautiful things can happen in and through us. I remember one special Christmas when I worked at the library there was a lovely older gentleman, a war veteran who I got to know very well. He loved the old black and white movie Sergeant York that we had available at the library. He would borrow it often as he could make such profound connections to this classic story of a soldier and the unique struggles he experienced on the battlefields representing his country. He even asked if he could buy it from us as the story meant so much to him. Unfortunately, that was not a possibility, but as I looked into his sad eyes, I knew that it had become my personal mission to find that sweet man his own personal copy of Sergeant York if it was the last thing I did. God laid in on my heart and I understood the assignment. Sometimes you just know that God has enlisted you on a special and specific task to be His hands and feet and bless others and it is life changing. It can be very exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time yet nevertheless, away I went on my quest! I scoured the internet to no avail but on a trip to the mall I was delighted to find a solitary copy of this beloved old movie! It was a bargain for me, worth every penny and I knew it would be absolutely priceless for him. Arrangements were made to meet and bless him with this video and when he received it, he was very pleasantly surprised. We both cried. He was beyond grateful. I was so delighted to do this for him. A small gesture that meant so much, and the two of us sure shared a special moment that day that is certain. Years ago, I had the pleasure of singing in a trio with my cousin Lisa and dear friend Lisa. One of our signature songs that we sang was called “We Are His Hands” by Whiteheart. It speaks of whatever you have to offer, give it to God and he will use it for His glory to bless others. I used to have a lot of self doubt. I would get caught up in a “Why me?” mentality. When I had been asked to do things in the past, I had a dozen reasons of why I was unqualified and why I was clearly the wrong woman for the job. Now I look at things differently, and ask myself … “Why not me?” I realized that however unqualified I may feel, God can still use me and teach me things I never imagined. My first job in my career as a social worker before I was a teacher was a Substance Abuse Coordinator. In this role I provided counselling and led workshops on addictions. I remember on my very first day receiving a call from a frantic and desperate mother who needed to know how she could know if her son was using a specific drug. In my heart I totally panicked because I was just learning too. I was so unprepared. Rather than show her my insecurities though, I put her on hold and grabbed a great informational pamphlet on that particular drug and calmly shared all the info she was needing reading right off the pamphlet. She was so appreciative and none the wiser. I pulled it off and I was so relieved. The Bible talks of when we are weak that He is strong. Partnering with God is amazing. If you are chosen, he will equip you to get the job done, and to get it done well. Everything that is done for God is meaningful and has value. Never underestimate it. Believe in yourself and that you can make a profound difference to others in big and small ways. Look around you. Hurting people are everywhere. Maybe your kindness is just what is needed to get them back on track again. You bring much to the table and you just might be the one to bring that discouraged friend the answer to what he or she has been praying for. Until next time, ~ Dana Little Lesson Learned: God can use anyone who is open and willing. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to bless others. Partnering with God is very exciting. Ephesians: 2:10 We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Copyright © 2021 littlelessonslearnedbydana Dana Romualdi, the copyright holder reserves all rights to the content on the blog and website Little Lessons Learned by Dana, including the right to reproduce, distribute, and display the content. No content or photographs may be reproduced or modified. Blogs may be shared on social media platforms in their entirety only with full credit given to the owner. Any photographs used by other photographers are used with permission and are also protected. All rights reserved. AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, social worker, blogger, author, motivational speaker and recording artist. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books.
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It was School Picture Day this week at my school which always generates lots of excitement. This year was especially exciting because we haven’t been able to do school pictures for quite some time now due to Covid 19. I teach Grade 2/3 this year and the pictures I have of them in our home and school communication program are quite outdated for that reason. For fun I pulled each student’s adorable picture up on the big screen that I had of them from a couple of years ago. They have grown up so much! Super sweet! There were lots of giggles and ahhhs as the cuteness overload factor was certainly in full force. Pictures capture a moment in time. They can encapsulate our highs, lows, and almost everything in between. It is fun to take a stroll down memory lane from time to time and recall special memories of times gone by. We smile for the camera and try to put our best foot forward. Some pictures evoke joy and laughter. Others can bring tears and sadness, but all are a piece of the puzzle that we call our lives. It is often what the camera doesn’t show that is so poignant, however. It doesn’t show the "story behind the story," but more often the highlight reel. Snapshot One: Marriage I look at pictures of my wedding back in 1992. It seems so long ago. Here Phil and I are now almost 30 years later still going strong, and building a happy life together as a couple. I was so lonely back then, as I was trying to find a boyfriend. I worried that love would pass me by. I had no job, and no prospects. Phil was literally the boy next store that I never met until I started a summer job as a housekeeper for his mom. I got a job and a husband all in one. God works in strange ways and I am blessed! Snapshot Two: Parenthood When I reflect on pictures of me as a new mom, I laugh about how little I knew back then. I remember Phil and I taking Tyler home from the hospital feeling how it this even allowed that we could take him home when we are so new at this? It was surreal as I had envisioned this day for so long. After miscarriages and fertility struggles the baby I had prayed for was finally here. I was a MOM! I feared this day would never come. It wasn’t easy getting to this moment, but Tyler brought us so much joy. Soon after we did it all over again. This time we welcomed a ray of sunshine, a baby girl named Shannon. Sure, raising babies and toddlers is very difficult but in the end, so rewarding. You blink it seems though and those babies turn into kids. Those kids turn into teens. The teens turn into adults, and those now adults, grow to become some of your best friends. Snapshot 3: Career Teacher’s college graduation photos bring a variety of memories to mind. I went back to school as a mature student, which was way out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I did it. I have a career now that I truly love and every day, I hopefully get to make a difference and add value to the lives of a bunch of kids I teach. How cool is that? I even got the picture package to commemorate my grad because who doesn’t want a wallet size grad photo of a 34-year-old?? Snapshot 4: Loss Facebook memory reels bring up lots of wonderful and sad memories too always catching my interest. I see special times and last events with my wonderful mother-in-law. So glad we captured her dancing with Phil, our last Christmas together and beautiful photos of her and our family at my nephew’s wedding. All these photos take me through the various seasons of my life. Through all the ups and downs, the easy and the difficult, there is so much that the camera does not show. This much I know though, I am very blessed, and I have a life that’s genuinely good. Through every snapshot, I have grown into the person I am today. Those twists and turns have made me, ME! We just celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving this week and as I see myself in these snapshots in time, my heart is truly full. I thank God for a life that is good. Whatever your story is, I hope you can see that too . I hope you recognize that through all the difficulties and high points, life is still good. We can still see the good and have lots to be thankful for. Until next time, ~ Dana ** Click below for my version of Life That's Good with my daughter Shannon accompanying me on the ukulele. Psalms 100:5 ~ For the Lord is good. His loving kindness is everlasting and his faithfulness continues to all generations. Little Lesson Learned: Looking through old pictures reminds us of all we have experienced. It is easy to forget how very blessed we are when the hard times come. Remember to always look for the good. Copyright: © 2021 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi) Dana Romualdi, the copyright holder reserves all rights to the content on the blog and website Little Lessons Learned by Dana, including the right to reproduce, distribute, and display the content. No content or photographs may be reproduced or modified. Blogs may be shared on social media platforms in their entirety only with full credit given to the owner. Any photographs used by other photographers are used with permission and are also protected. All Rights Reserved.
Waiting and hoping is a hard thing to do when you’ve already been waiting and hoping for almost as long as you can bear it. ~ Jenny Nimmo Photo by christopher catbagan on Unsplash |
AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, social worker, blogger, author, motivational speaker and recording artist. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. |
AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, social worker, blogger, author, motivational speaker and recording artist. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. |
Author.Dana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, social worker, blogger, author, motivational speaker and recording artist. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. |
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