Pennies from Heaven

I am missing my brother today. It's been over 18 years since I have seen his face or felt his warm bear hugs.  There are days were I have a sweet reminders of him and other days, like today, where I miss him so much that I remember the moment I found out that he was ripped from our lives.

I was giving change back to someone today and realized that I didn't have any quarters left in my drawer, so I gave her .60 in dimes and .03 in pennies.  I apologized to her about my lack of quarters and she started to tear up.  I felt a little awkward until she said, "it is said that when you see dimes and pennies, it means that angels are near.  Thank you for giving me a handful of them." In those two sentences, I recalled a sweet memory of my angel brother.

When I was growing up, my brother threw pennies away.

He didn't like them.

He didn't want to have them.

When I found this out, I begged for him to give them to me instead.  And, being his favorite (and only) sister, he did.

This exchange of pennies went on for a couple years. 

Shortly after he died, I remember hearing what sounded like a handful of pennies fall on the concrete. I looked down and noticed, not a handful, but one penny lying on the sidewalk in front of me. Around the same time, on the same day, my mom sat down at her desk at work, looked up and saw a penny balancing on the edge of a binder that was sitting on a shelf above her desk.  These two experiences were a sweet reminder that while he is no longer with us, he was and still is aware of us.

So, next time you see a penny, or dime, lying on the ground or balancing on a shelf, it could be that someone you love is watching over you.  If you feel it's not for you, leave it for the person behind you because they may have been praying for peace and answers in that moment.

Dressing for success. It is really a thing?

I have a unique perspective as I work every day.  I am in finance and my branch is in a grocery store.  I have the opportunity to watch people all day.  I get to observe their interactions with each other, with other employees as well as with customers.  I am also observant of their way of dress and mannerisms. There is the cutest older gentleman that works for the grocery store.  He wears a white dress shirt, black tie and black slacks.  he is so kind and helpful.  He is always willing to jump in and help where he is needed.so many of the customers have commented on how sweet he is and nicely he is dressed.

As I have worked in many different fields, I have come to know that the way you dress is a direct reflection of how you act towards others and how others act towards you. And, it's not a matter of modest vs immodest.

At one of my previous jobs, I was a hall monitor for a Jr. High (and boy, do I have some stories).   I remember one student in particular. Halfway through her 7th grade year, she started spending time with some students that was a little lax in their education.  They didn't put forth any effort in doing their assignments, handing in their homework and some days they spent their time a park down the street.  Her mom realized that in order to "save" her daughter she would need to take drastic measures.  So, she took her daughter out of school to home school her.

Fast forward one year, this cute student was walking through the halls, eating lunch and interacting with her friends, but there was something different about her. She seemed happier.  She was attending all her classes. She was even doing her assignments. The biggest difference: she wore a dress every. single. day!  And, her mom had required that she did so! At first she was embarrassed that her mom did this. But, as the year progressed, she did also. She blossomed into someone so completely different than her former self.  She saw herself in a different light. I could see her gain confidence, which helped her gain trust and respect from her peers.  She would also compliment me every day: my hair, shoes, clothes etc.

Around that same time, I was working more with my good friend who owns an online women's clothing company whose motto is: Look, Feel, Do Good.  Her philosophy is simple: when you look good, it makes you feel good so that you can turn around and do good.  I have felt this in my own life personally. So, thank you Courtney for helping me build a foundation on which I can build my self worth on.  And, if you want to hear more of my thoughts about this, head on over to my self care post.

***This post is not sponsored nor was I compensated in any way. It's just the thoughts rolling around my head while I observe others within my environment.