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As a kid, I think one of the things that we all seem to
do to help us relate to other kids, is to find out what that kid's
"favorite (insert various item here)" is. Perhaps we do this though a
series of various other questions or observations as adults as well. But
not many of us just come right out and ask someone. I cannot say that
anywhere in my adult life can I remember someone around the office
asking a co-worker, "so hey Martha, what's your favorite flavor of ice
cream?"
But as kids, we learn these very valuable things about the people around
us, after all, what is more important then sharing something that we
have in common with our "buddy?"
Maybe we should keep this kid-like quality as adults? I mean, what is
wrong with knowing that Martha enjoys mint-chocolate chip ice cream
covered in chocolate sauce and crushed nuts? Maybe then if we knew that
Martha liked this, it would show up as a special treat on her desk one
day when Martha is having a bad day?
Martha's ice cream flavor may not be unique, as I could say that I love
mint chocolate chip ice cream too (though I cannot and will not eat it),
but when was the last time someone actually asked my fictional adult
"Martha" what were her favorite things? When did it stop being important
for us to know what is important to her?
Even teens know that people's favorite things are important. Minime was
texting various friends the other day and she made a new friend, a
cousin of her friend "Jacob." Jacob used "Sarah's" phone to text Minime
because his was not working properly. In the course of a few minutes,
Minime had learned that Sarah's favorite color was lime green, her
favorite food was cheese pizza, her favorite music was country and that
she was 13 years old.
"Those are all important things to know," she informed me while riding
in the car, texting away, as I was driving back to Baton Rouge with her.
And you know, minime is right. These are important things to know. As
insignificant as they may seem to be, it makes a person feel special
knowing that you know what is important, fun, or exciting to them.
Knowing what are the favorite things of someone, may very well be a
factor that could significantly improve your relationship with a
particular person.
How many of you can honestly say that you know your husband's favorite
fruit, or what food he likes above all? How about knowing what your
child's favorite color is or what flavor of jelly bean she likes best?
If we all took the time to listen, observe and learn a little about the
people around us in our day, we all could give them that special "touch"
of providing something that may be uniquely special to that individual.
Everyone wants to feel like he or she is special. And knowing what is
important to each person might just be enough to give that person those
warm and fuzzy feelings that bring each of us a smile on our faces.
I am lucky enough to have someone who does know how to bring a smile to
my face. I guess I underestimated Scott and his creativity, because I
had no idea how much he really did pay attention until last month. Scott
took a basket and filled it with a "few of my favorite things," and
presented them to me for Valentine's Day. This assured me that not only
does he love me, but he knows how to show me just how special I truly am
to him because he remembered things that were important to me.
It does not take a whole lot of time and effort to find out what
someone's favorite things are, just look at Minime's new text
friendship. A little memory and a little effort to make someone know
that they do count and that they are special can do wonders - I promise.
familyfavorites@gmail.com
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