Paying it forward...

Lately, I have had some great things happen to me, and I'm so grateful for everything that has come my way. But for every happiness that I have received, I wish I could make others just as happy.
When I was at Houston, my friend Catherine and I wandered past the Machine Quilting Unlimited booth. One of the ladies working the booth asked "Are you the one with the light up quilts?". I told her that I really appreciated her comment and that it made my day. It really did. And right there, I realized that for every compliment and encouraging word I got, I should pass on at least 2 more of my own. 
So, when I saw someone with a jacket they might have made themselves, I stopped her and asked about it.  Sure enough, she had, and I told them how much I loved it. As I walked away, she turned to her friends and said "Wasn't that nice?" 
Also in Houston, I asked my friend Pokey to write a note for my online friend Jackie who could not be at the show and mailed it to her. 
I know EXACTLY what it feels like to have someone tell you they recognized your name, or knew of your work somehow. I know what it feels like for a "famous" quilter to say something encouraging. Just think how wonderful we all would feel if someone else took a second to say they liked your quilts.
So, if you are a "famous"/published quilter, tell someone you don't know how nice their work is. If you are a quilt teacher, tell a student how wonderful a job they are doing. If you are not famous or a teacher (like me), spread some happiness to 2 more people by complimenting their work too.  You don't know how much it will mean to someone to get that compliment.  Maybe they are waiting for that compliment before they launch an art career of their own... you never know what the effect you will have on others!


P.S. Lyric Kinard is doing a really similar thing all through December as her way of saying "Thanks", which I have been following along with. Check it out!