Like Confetti

Like many in America, my family and I watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. To be honest, we aren’t much of a parade family, but it was nice to hear the Broadway songs and watch them dance. It was nice to see some of the pop and country artists perform. I like the big floating balloons the best I think.

As I watched, I noticed confetti floating down at various points and several thoughts occurred to me. Who cleans it up? It can’t just be custodians or maintenance folks, because there has got to be a mountain of it when it is all swept up and pushed to one end. But the bigger question to me is, where did it all come from and who cut it up?

Think about that for a minute . . .

It’s paper (I think) and someone has to take the time to cut up paper into squares and triangles. First of all, that’s a lot of paper, and secondly, that has to take a lot of time. For several, hopefully more than several, people to spend time doing that, I hope they got paid a heck of a lot of money because it had to be mind-numbing work, and my next thought was, who did they annoy and upset enough to be the appointed confetti makers?

For our commencement ceremony, we use confetti sticks. The tube is filled with tiny blue and gold strips of paper and at the end of the ceremony on a count of three, the seniors release them up over their heads. It is an awesome sight and one of my favorite things about the commencement ceremony. I’ve seen pictures from the stands and if there is just a slight or no breeze, there is a beautiful blue and gold cloud that shimmers and shines just above our graduates. Pretty!

I kinda sorta think Chris, our building engineer, isn’t so enamored with it though. He has to take a machine and clean it off the turf field and it is time consuming. Some of it comes right off. I’ve actually seen some kids pick up a few pieces to hang onto. Some of it gets ground into the turf surface. Other bits get blown off somewhere, anywhere the wind or breeze will take it.

Got me thinking . . .

What if we were to spread kindness and compassion Like Confetti?

It is certainly less time consuming than cutting up pieces and bits of paper. There isn’t any clean up that I can think of. There is no effort involved. It doesn’t take any time to smile, to say, “How are you doing?” to someone, to offer a hug or a handshake or a fist bump.

I suppose you could argue that sitting with someone in need, whether it is in silence or actively listening as they pour their heart out takes time. But think about the benefits!

A person in need is comforted. A person feels connected and cared about. A person feels understood. A person no longer feels alone.

And I believe it makes us better people if we extend the effort. We reach out beyond our own little world to let another know we are there, and in turn, many times, often times, it is reciprocated when we need it most.

And Like Confetti, some of it will be collected and remembered. Some of it will go where it goes and no one will know how far it might go. Some of it will remain and be reused in a different way. But wouldn’t our world, everyone’s world, be a little better off if we could do just one or two positive “gives” each day? Wouldn’t our world, everyone’s world, be better by our giving of ourselves, whether it is a touch, a smile, a hug or a handshake? Wouldn’t our world, everyone’s world, be better if we give just a moment or two to someone in need, to lift up, to be there, to say, “Hey, I’m here if you need me?” Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

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If you like Thriller/Mystery fiction, check out what other readers have said about my novels.

Stolen Lives

“Joseph Lewis has created a cast of characters that you grow to care about. Their story is filled with twists and turns that keep you reading. When the book ends you will be left anticipating the next one! This was a story I could not put down!”  “I am really glad I happened to see this Trilogy while looking through my Kindle unlimited series. Great strong characters, especially George and Brett. Looking forward to reading more from this author. Started Taking Lives and immediately turned the pages to get to Stolen Lives.”

Two thirteen year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of FBI agents have 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others- dead! They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And the possibility exists that one of his team members might be involved. http://bit.ly/Stolen-Lives-JLewis       

Shattered Lives

“I couldn’t put it down, a really good book!” “Great book! I can't wait for next one!” “This book is excellent. The whole series is definitely worth your time.” “Expertly written. I ended up buying all the books in the series and am waiting eagerly for the final installment Splintered Lives."

Six men escaped and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger and so are their families, but they don’t know it. The FBI has no clues, no leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them.  http://bit.ly/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis       

Splintered Lives

“Engaging characters you care about. A story that is fast-paced and holds your attention to the point you cannot put it down. Great finish to a great series.”

A 14 year old boy has a price on his head, but he and his family don’t know it. Their family vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out gunned and outnumbered, can this boy protect his father and brothers? Without knowing who these men are? Or how many there are? Or when they might come for him? http://bit.ly/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis   

Taking Lives

“Great book by Joseph Lewis. Many twists and turns. Fasted paced.”  “Couldn’t put the book down.”  “Great story can't wait to read the next one!” “Great book! I really enjoyed it. Good author!” “Each character is developed thoroughly, igniting the reader's interest and stirring emotions. The frustration of the detective flows to the reader. The young boys are endearing.”

FBI Agent Pete Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they don’t know one another, the lives of FBI Kelliher, 11 year old Brett McGovern, and 11 year old George Tokay are separate pieces of a puzzle. The two boys become interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their lives are in jeopardy as each search for a way out. http://bit.ly/Taking-Lives-JLewis