“If you tie a red bow on it, that would make it just perfect,” she commented to me.
“We have wide, red ribbon,” I responded encouragingly.
“Really, you’d do that for me?! Sold!” she delightfully answered.
Adding a special touch can be that simple, and yet mean so much to another. It doesn’t take an exhaustive, overwhelming effort – just a meaningful, special touch.
My sister and I had been commenting on that early in the week. What sets some shops, some people ahead of others? The fact that they do what they do. They don’t just talk about it, but they do it with a special, unique flourish.
They bring their own special touch to the table and they own it! Isn’t that such a good reminder for us all?!
We shouldn’t wait until we develop a grand flourish that is completely unique and different from everyone before we offer it or serve others with it. We should serve them now with what we have to offer. Our own uniquenesses can set us apart and be just the special touch that another is looking for.
The prize doesn’t come in going the furtherest to outdo others, but rather in showing up and doing what we do, no matter how small or un-extraordinary it may seem.
Amateurs or Professionals
“We are just a few amateurs at our shop,” a lady told me, almost apologetically, as she walked around our new shop. “Aren’t we all?” I cheerfully reassured her.
Nothing teaches like real-world experience. Training is good and necessary, but once you get out in the world, you will find that there are a million exceptions to the rule. Don’t let it overwhelm you. And definitely don’t let it make you feel inferior! Do your best and bring your special touch to what you do. Your strengths will astound and inspire others! Own them and thank God for them! They are what set you apart and make you uniquely you!
Don’t wait on the sidelines examining the competition as if to measure yourself by them. You’ll always be lacking in some area if you do. Instead, look to God for direction and examine yourself for your own competition. Do your very best and God will bless and direct you! When you look to Him, He will show up and astound you! The unique way that He made you will amaze others, if you will embrace it and realize it for the blessing, the special touch, that it is.
We are all amateurs at what we do when measured to others. But when measured to who God has designed us to be, we want to be world class professionals!
That Special Touch
We all have at least one. It is what makes us unique, what sets us apart from others. Did you know that God makes each person different? Even identical twins are different from one another! Don’t ever fool yourself into believing that you don’t have something special to bring to your family or your work. Don’t fool yourself into believing that you need to be like another. Definitely admire qualities of excellence and work to make them a part of your life, but don’t try to be another’s twin. God made you specifically. He made you just how He wanted you, just how He needs you to be. Self improvement is vital, it should always be at the forefront of a Christian’s mind, but never duplication.
Ownership highlights our delightful and unique differences. Fully owning who we are created to be brings glory to God. Stepping fully into who God created us to be is how we bring our own special touch to our life and the lives of those around us!
As Coco Chanel said, “Don’t be like the rest of them, Darling.”
Be beautifully, uniquely you! Bring that special touch with you wherever you go! Think of it as God’s fingerprint on your life! He designed you with a very specific purpose – now you must step fully into it!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. I am pretty excited about our new shop! You can read about it here: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2018/11/07/twig-downtown/