Wow's - Michele Normand
A WOW is something you do that makes people say “wow, that is amazing that you did that!”
This part of the test has been difficult for me. I do things because I want to. I have always had the desire to have a positive impact on others peoples lives. What might seem like a WOW to others is a "I wanted to help, I saw a need and I did it." I don't want kudos or a “wow, that is amazing that you did that!” It's a natural thing for me that I do often and it doesn't feel special, it feels right. Here are a few things I did this year because, it felt right...
#1 - Before our two year anniversary celebration at the studio a couple of my teammates and I were listening to things KJN Jeremy was talking about wanting to get done at the studio. We made a list to divide and conquer to help check off some of those things on the list. Some of the things he wanted was to clean the walls, touch up paint that had peeled and repair a couple of holes. We had a great time secretly planning our mission.. to wash the walls, fix the holes, touch up the paint and something that wasn't on his list, decorate for the event. Amy, Nathan and their wonderful mom would be in charge of the decorating and I would be in charge purchasing and touching up the paint. First we had to figure out if there was any paint left over from when the studio was originally painted. We snuck into the back room and high on the shelf were paint cans but not all the colors were there. Shoot, how would we find out without having to ask? Well, being lucky enough to have a teammate that is very covert, Amy figured out where the original paint was purchased and had the idea to go in to the store and ask, "they probably have it on file". SMART!!! I went to the paint store and BINGO the paint used was indeed on file. We also planned to Amy, Nathan and their wonderful mom would be in charge of the decorating and I would be in charge purchasing and touching up the paint.We snuck into the studio the Friday before the event. With paint, brushes, drop cloths and decorations we all worked feverishly to get the studio ready and surprise KJN Jeremy.
#2 - I learned earlier this year that my uncle was battling depression. At the time we were not super close but having experience with depression myself and with a loved one I could empathize and understand what he was going though. One day I called him and said "I know things are difficult for you right now and I have experienced depression myself. I'm here if you ever need to talk." and I left it at that. Not long after he called me to talk and we have talked nearly everyday since, sometimes two or three times a day if he needs it. We have built a very close relationship and he has made so much progress. He has gone from a very dark place to one that has light and hope. He says I have made a huge difference in his life by giving him a person to talk to with no judgement, just understanding and care. He tells me regularly how much he loves me and how special I am to him. I love him too and he is very special to me.
#3 - I have the most amazing neighbors, Donna and Larry! We are always there for eachother if we need anything. For the last two years Donna had been talking about how she would love to edge her flower bed but her husband was busy with so many other chores and she has issues from a broken back from years ago that makes it so difficult for her to do those kinds of things. She loves her flowers and she has the most beautiful flower garden but in the last few years she has fought grass coming through and nearly taking over. I have watched her try and try to get it under control spending hours pulling grass to no avail. She struggled and struggled to keep it up let alone edge. All spring through summer I would hear "I need to get rid of that grass and edge my flower bed". I made a mental note. Finally this summer I made time, grabbed my edger and gloves, went over and said "I'm here to pull grass and edge your flower bed". I made her the foreman "tell me where to edge and together we will get this done :)". As we went along her husband joined in and brought out the quad with the dump trailer on the back. We loaded the trailer many times and I told him just dump it at our creek (so they wouldn't have to try to get rid of it themselves). It meant the world to me to see how happy she was to finally have control of her beautiful garden again. I let her know that I would be back over next spring so we could tackle it again, together.
Michele Normand
1st Degree Black Belt Candidate
This part of the test has been difficult for me. I do things because I want to. I have always had the desire to have a positive impact on others peoples lives. What might seem like a WOW to others is a "I wanted to help, I saw a need and I did it." I don't want kudos or a “wow, that is amazing that you did that!” It's a natural thing for me that I do often and it doesn't feel special, it feels right. Here are a few things I did this year because, it felt right...
#1 - Before our two year anniversary celebration at the studio a couple of my teammates and I were listening to things KJN Jeremy was talking about wanting to get done at the studio. We made a list to divide and conquer to help check off some of those things on the list. Some of the things he wanted was to clean the walls, touch up paint that had peeled and repair a couple of holes. We had a great time secretly planning our mission.. to wash the walls, fix the holes, touch up the paint and something that wasn't on his list, decorate for the event. Amy, Nathan and their wonderful mom would be in charge of the decorating and I would be in charge purchasing and touching up the paint. First we had to figure out if there was any paint left over from when the studio was originally painted. We snuck into the back room and high on the shelf were paint cans but not all the colors were there. Shoot, how would we find out without having to ask? Well, being lucky enough to have a teammate that is very covert, Amy figured out where the original paint was purchased and had the idea to go in to the store and ask, "they probably have it on file". SMART!!! I went to the paint store and BINGO the paint used was indeed on file. We also planned to Amy, Nathan and their wonderful mom would be in charge of the decorating and I would be in charge purchasing and touching up the paint.We snuck into the studio the Friday before the event. With paint, brushes, drop cloths and decorations we all worked feverishly to get the studio ready and surprise KJN Jeremy.
#2 - I learned earlier this year that my uncle was battling depression. At the time we were not super close but having experience with depression myself and with a loved one I could empathize and understand what he was going though. One day I called him and said "I know things are difficult for you right now and I have experienced depression myself. I'm here if you ever need to talk." and I left it at that. Not long after he called me to talk and we have talked nearly everyday since, sometimes two or three times a day if he needs it. We have built a very close relationship and he has made so much progress. He has gone from a very dark place to one that has light and hope. He says I have made a huge difference in his life by giving him a person to talk to with no judgement, just understanding and care. He tells me regularly how much he loves me and how special I am to him. I love him too and he is very special to me.
#3 - I have the most amazing neighbors, Donna and Larry! We are always there for eachother if we need anything. For the last two years Donna had been talking about how she would love to edge her flower bed but her husband was busy with so many other chores and she has issues from a broken back from years ago that makes it so difficult for her to do those kinds of things. She loves her flowers and she has the most beautiful flower garden but in the last few years she has fought grass coming through and nearly taking over. I have watched her try and try to get it under control spending hours pulling grass to no avail. She struggled and struggled to keep it up let alone edge. All spring through summer I would hear "I need to get rid of that grass and edge my flower bed". I made a mental note. Finally this summer I made time, grabbed my edger and gloves, went over and said "I'm here to pull grass and edge your flower bed". I made her the foreman "tell me where to edge and together we will get this done :)". As we went along her husband joined in and brought out the quad with the dump trailer on the back. We loaded the trailer many times and I told him just dump it at our creek (so they wouldn't have to try to get rid of it themselves). It meant the world to me to see how happy she was to finally have control of her beautiful garden again. I let her know that I would be back over next spring so we could tackle it again, together.
Michele Normand
1st Degree Black Belt Candidate
Sweetheart, you are one wow after another! Whether it's a bit or little thing, you are constantly reaching out in kindness to others.
ReplyDeleteI just love you, bunches!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteYou are such an amazing and special person, Michele! <3
ReplyDelete