A few weeks ago on a Thursday, we went to Keeneland Race Track for the VERY first time. Sort of hard to believe, as we both grew up in Cincinnati and the farm is only 2 hours away! But, it took friends coming in to town to make it happen. What a beautiful and fun day.
I am not a gambler. My dad taught me a valuable lesson when I was about 8 years old. We were playing a card game and gambling. I kept losing and wanted to bet my advance allowances. He let me, and then he had the AUDACITY to keep to it. He kept my allowance money for weeks in the future. It took me ZERO time to realize I would rather walk away with shoes or a purse (ok, in those days it was probably foot long bubble gum ropes) than lose money gambling. So, I went to Keeneland for the friends, the champagne, the magnificent horses, the cheering and the outfits.
But, on this particular Thursday at Keeneland I had some of the best interactions with women. The first time I used the restroom there I heard women exclaiming to other women, complete strangers…”I love your dress!”, “Your hat is so cute!”. “You look so pretty”. These were all ages and types of women. As I was washing my hands I couldn’t help but smile. In this day and age, it is so refreshing to see women supporting one another. To see people being kind to one another. I immediately went out and shared these interactions with my #farmboy and our friends.
Later in the day I was on the receiving end of this love fest when on 2 separate occasions 2 young girls stopped me and complimented my outfit. They even said I was beautiful! One girl sort of became my Keeneland buddy for the afternoon. Mind you, both girls were younger than my daughter! But the kindness they showed me, made me bounce all day.
It felt so reassuring that young women were being so gracious to one another. I am often the woman who stops another to compliment her, but how fun to be the receiver!
I am not sharing this to let you know a few people liked my outfit. So, why then? Well, a week ago it was my birthday. It was not a significant one except for the fact that the number is beginning to seem alarmingly significant. But, all of the kindness by strangers got me thinking…. I know some of you really good people use your birthdays to fundraise for causes near and dear to you. I, apparently am not that good. That being said, in honor of my birthday, I would like to ask you to pay a random person a compliment. I am going to ask you to do something kind for someone. I am going to ask you to do something good for yourself. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. But, do something good for you and pay kindness forward. Be a light in a world where we tend to see our differences instead of our similarities. Be a light in a world where we tend to judge instead of love others. Be a light in a world where we tend to feel bad for ourselves and compare instead of lifting another up. That is what I ask in honor of my birthday.
Since you have stumbled on my blog, you might have noticed that my name is Allison Joy, and my motto is “ Make Joy Happen”. So, in honor of my big numbered birthday let’s “Make Joy Happen” for ourselves and others.
Much love,
a.-
allison-joy 