#492: A Friendly Heart? Well Admired?

I decided to treat myself to a "not a father" dinner at Golden Corral this afternoon. I looked forward to their buffet and arrived at 4:00, figuring I'd miss the 5:00 dinner celebration groups. Wrong! I took one look at the line and headed for the Chinese Buffet down the street where I was pleasantly surprised that the lunch prices had been carried over for dinner in honor of Father's Day.

After eating (and still staying within my calorie range for the day ), I eagerly opened the proffered fortune cookie. I was stunned to read: "You have a friendly heart and are well admired."

Now, I don't know about the well admired part but I hope the first part shows through. It seems having compassion for others has always been a deeply-ingrained trait. I often wish to win a lottery so I can better help those in need, those who have lost their homes to fire or natural disaster, their clothes, their children's toys, car, everything gone in an instant. How great would it make me feel to buy them a new home or clothes or toys for the little ones or a car? Wouldn't that surely make me proud? Could I have been any more conceited?

Tonight, though, when I read that fortune, I realized the scenario of riches is likely not ever going to happen. What I also understood in that moment was that I can offer financial help when I can, but what may be more worthwhile is to offer a kind word, to encourage others to dream big and to follow their dreams, to lift them up in prayer and keep them in my thoughts.

Yes, being wealthy and helping others get back on the feet is a lofty goal but practically speaking, having a friendly heart, a caring heart, a compassionate heart and opening that heart to those in need may be worth more than lottery riches. And it is something I can do and am eager to do.

We may be "only" Internet friends but I consider all of you as real friends, not fake friends or somehow lesser friends because we have not met in person. When one of you hurts, I hurt, too. When one of you cries, I also shed tears. And, when one of you succeeds, I cheer for you.

Riches? I may not have them but I hope I have shown you a friendly heart. Heaven knows you have shown me one.