Today’s Quote

Perspectives
~Unknown Author

“One day a father and his rich family took his young son on a trip to spend a few days on a farm of a very poor family with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be.

When they got back from their trip the father asked his son, ‘How was the trip? What did you learn?’

The son answered, ‘I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have the whole horizon.’

When the little boy was finishing, his father was speechless.

His son added, ‘Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are!’

Isn’t it true that it all depends on the way you look at things? If you have love, friends, family, health, good humor and a positive attitude toward life, you’ve got everything.

You can’t buy any of these things. You can have all the material possessions you can imagine, but if you are poor of spirit, you have nothing.”

Today’s Tip

This week be aware if you are only focusing on your material possessions or are you grateful for the things that really matter such as your health, your family or even something as simple as the joy of a new day.

Are you rich or poor in spirit?

Have a great week!
Joanie and Angie

Thoughts? Comments?
E-mail the Happy Wednesday Ladies @ HappyHosts@gmail.com.
We would love to hear from you!

Make it a “Happy Wednesday” for everyone:
-Share on Twitter and Facebook (see below)
- Click here to share with a friend


_____________________________________

Joanie Winberg, CHBC, CLL
Business/Personal Coach specializing in Divorce, speaker,
Certified Human Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader
www.HappyWednesdayFoundation.org
www.NADWC.org (The National Association of Divorce for Women and Children)
jw@joanwinberg.com

Angie Strader
Happiness Leader with a focus on helping others find happiness within. Writer, Speaker, Motivator, Radio & TV Show Host

www.TheWorldNeedsMoreHappy.com
www.angiestrader.com
angie@angiestrader.com

Today’s Quote

10 Ways on HOW TO STAY YOUNG
~ George Carlin

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay ‘them.’

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be A LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, music, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER…
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

.
Have a great week!
Joanie and Angie

Thoughts? Comments?
E-mail the Happy Wednesday Ladies @ HappyHosts@gmail.com.
We would love to hear from you!

Make it a “Happy Wednesday” for everyone:
-Share on Twitter and Facebook (see below)
- Click here to share with a friend


_____________________________________
Are you single again either through divorce or the loss of a loved one? Are you a single mom?

Then mark your calendars!

Let us teach you how to be “YOUR OWN VALENTINE!”

The Next Single Again! Now What? 12 Week Teleclass Mentoring Program starts Thursday, February 11, 2010 @ 7PM EST.

Don’t miss out! Save your spot!

___________________________________
Joanie Winberg, CHBC, CLL
Business/Personal Coach specializing in Divorce, speaker,
Certified Human Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader
www.HappyWednesdayFoundation.org
www.NADWC.org (The National Association of Divorce for Women and Children)
jw@joanwinberg.com

Angie Strader
A Happiness Leader with a focus on helping others find happiness within.
Blogger, Podcaster, Motivator and Entrepreneur
www.TheWorldNeedsMoreHappy.com
www.angiestrader.com
angie@angiestrader.com

And now here are your hosts…
The Happy Wednesday Ladies, Joanie Winberg and Angie Strader.
____________________________________________________

Today’s Inspirational Quote

To live your life with more ease, less stress and a lot more fun…follow this recipe:

Two heaped cups of patience, One heartful of love, Two handfuls of generosity, One headful of understanding and a dash of humour, Sprinkle with kindness, add plenty of faith and mix well. Spread over a period of a lifetime and serve to everyone you meet.
~ Innerspace greeting card

Tune in for more recipe tips from the Happy Wednesday Ladies!

Please share your thoughts and comments about today’s quote and message at HappyHosts@gmail.com.
We would love to hear from you!

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!
Joanie and Angie

____________________________________________
Joanie Winberg, CHBC, CLL
Business/Personal Coach specializing in Divorce, speaker,
Certified Human Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader
www.HappyWednesdayFoundation.org
www.NADWC.org (The National Association of Divorce for Women and Children)
jw@joanwinberg.com

Angie Strader
A Happiness Leader with a focus on helping others find happiness within.
Blogger, Podcaster, Motivator and Entrepreneur
www.TheWorldNeedsMoreHappy.com
www.morehappyhealth.com
angie@theworldneedsmorehappy.com
___________________________________________________
What’s New?

SINGLES’ LIFESTYLE EXPO- New England

Sunday, September 13, 2009
Warwick, Rhode Island
2PM to Midnight

- Seminars
- Workshops
- Exhibits
- Speed Dating
- New England’s Largest Singles Dance Party

Admission is only $15 for all activities in advance- $20 at the door.
Tell me more…

P.S.
Joanie will be one of the speakers and you can also visit her at the Single Again? Now What? exhibit booth. They will be launching their new program for singles again called the High-5 Club!

Today is week #4 for the Give Away Gifts for 29 Days Event.
We would love to hear how you did for the last 29 days of gift giving.

Please share your stories. Go to www.29gifts.org.

Cami Walker, the founder of Give Away Gifts for 29 Days has a dream…that 29,000 people will become Committed Givers. So far 3,831 people have. Thank you Cami for all your effort!

Happy Wednesday quote:

“Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.
~Albert Schweitzer”.

An incredible “Act of Kindness” video!

_______________________________________________

Special Message from Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady:

Would you like to help make a difference and be “highlighted” on the Happy Wednesday Broadcast?
Simply e-mail your inspirational video, audio or poem with tips to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line. Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you or your business and a link to your website.

My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:

- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!

Joanie Winberg,
A Business/Personal Coach specializing in Divorce, Speaker,
Human Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader.

__________________________________________________________

What’s New
MEET Our Sponsors for the Chocolate Spa Getaway Weekend and receive free gifts!

How to enter the contest…

Tell us in 300 words or less why YOUR FRIEND deserves a Chocolate Spa Getaway Weekend. (For example has she had some extenuating circumstances, struggles, challenges, or just plain needs a break?) Best of all, if your story is chosen, you get to go, too!!

Imagine all expenses paid…a poolside room for three (3) days/two (2) nights at the gorgeous Hotel Hershey, air fare, limo service to and from the airport, over $400 worth of spa treatments and much, much more! Tell me more…

Special Radio Talk Show to answer all your Real Estate Questions… Join us on the “Single Again! Now What?” Talk Radio Show with Real Estate Experts, Cathy Messing and Elissa Rogovin discussing “Home Buying and Selling: Tips for Challenging Times.”
Call 347-215-6997 with your questions! Show starts at 6:00PM EST!

Have you ever wanted to go to Ireland?
UPCOMING WOMEN’S JOURNEY to Ireland- July 18-25, 2009!
For more information go to, www.spiraljourneys.com.

Cami Walker, the founder has a dream…that 29,000 people will become Committed Givers. So far 3,831 people have…are you in?
Go to www.29gifts.org. to make your commitment.

Thank you Michael J. Chase for your very inspirational story!

_____________________________________________________________________

Special Message from Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady:

Would you like to help make a difference and be “highlighted” on the Happy Wednesday Broadcast?

Simply e-mail your inspirational video, audio or poem with tips to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line. Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you or your business and a link to your website.

My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:

- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!

Joanie Winberg,
A Business/Personal Coach specializing in Divorce, Speaker,
Human Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader.

To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to < a href="http://www.HappyWednesday.com"target=blank>www.HappyWednesday.com.

__________________________________________________________

What’s New

ENTER TO WIN… A Chocolate Spa Getaway Weekend!

Tell us in 300 words or less why YOUR FRIEND deserves a Chocolate Spa Getaway Weekend. (For example has she had some extenuating circumstances, struggles, challenges, or just plain needs a break?)

Best of all, if your story is chosen, you get to go, too!!

Imagine all expenses paid…a poolside room for three (3) days/two (2) nights at the gorgeous Hotel Hershey, air fare, limo service to and from the airport, over $400 worth of spa treatments and much, much more! Tell me more…

Attention Parents!

Single Again! Now What?
with your host, Joanie Winberg.

Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in #: 347- 215-6997

Tonight’s Show – This show is for all parents whether you are married or a single parent.

The 5 Must do Steps to Achieve Financial Order
Patti Handy is founder and owner of Kids Cash Coach™, a company dedicated to teaching kids money skills and financial literacy. Her passion is to empower kids with the tools necessary to manage, invest, save and spend their money wisely.

Today’s midweek boost is brought to you by Cami Walker of www.29gifts.org
Thank you for all your inspiration!

Give away 29 gifts in 29 days. Why?… Because to see your world change, you have to do something to change your world. Plus, the best way to attract abundance into your life is to be in a perpetual state of giving and gratitude.

Be an important part of the global giving movement that inspires more generosity on our planet. Take the 29-Day Giving Challenge at 29Gifts.org.

Cami’s Inspirational Video
_____________________________________________________________________

Special Message from Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady:

Would you like to help make a difference and be “highlighted” on the Happy Wednesday Broadcast?

Just e-mail your inspirational video, audio or poem with tips to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line. Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you and a link to your website.

My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:

- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!

Joanie Winberg,
A Business/Personal Coach specializing in Divorce, Speaker,
Human Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader.

To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com.

__________________________________________________________
What’s New

ENTER TO WIN
A Chocolate Spa Getaway!

Three days and two nights at the absolutely gorgeous Hotel Hershey,
air fare, limo service to and from the airport, over $400 worth of spa treatments and much, much more!

Tune in…

Single Again! Now What? with your host, Joanie Winberg.

Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in: 347- 215-6997

Tonight’s Show

February 25, 2009

Guest: Patty Hansen
Topic: Author of the new Chicken Soup for the Soul book- “Divorce and Recovery”-
101 Stories about Surviving and Thriving after Divorce

We are all unique! We all have gifts to share with the world.

Be aware! Ask yourself this question?

Do I accept others for who they are without judgment or criticism
and cherish their beauty and gifts or do I only focus on their weaknesses or quirks?

The video below was sent to me by several people. If you haven’t see it…enjoy!

This video says it all!

___________________________________________________________________

Special Message from Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady:

Would you like to help make a difference and be “highlighted” on the Happy Wednesday Broadcast?

Just e-mail your inspirational video, audio or poem with tips to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line. Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you and a link to your website.

My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:

- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.

Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you and a link to your website.

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!

To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to
www.HappyWednesday.com.

ENTER TO WIN!
A Chocolate Spa Getaway!
Three days and two nights at the absolutely gorgeous Hotel Hershey, air fare, limo service to and from the airport, over $400 worth of spa treatments and much, much more!
__________________________________________

Tune in…

Single Again! Now What? with your host, Joanie Winberg.
Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in: 347- 215-6997

Click here for upcoming shows…

Tonight’s Show- February 18, 2009
Guest: Patrick Wanis
Topic: “Soul Mates – Truth or a Dangerous Myth?”

Patrick Wanis, Ph.D., one of the foremost experts on the mind, human behavior, relationships, sexuality, and personal success, will share his expertise on your relationship with yourself, smash wide open the myth behind soul mates and divulge the missing key and five steps to “Finding Your Ideal Match and Loving Yourself.”

February 25, 2009

Guest: Patty Hansen
Topic:  Author of the new Chicken Soup for the Soul book- “Divorce and Recovery”-
101 Stories about Surviving and Thriving after Divorce

Patty Hansen has co-authored many of the most beloved stories in the
Chicken Soup for the Soul® collection. With her writing partner Irene
Dunlap, she contributed to Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, Chicken Soup
for the Kid’s Soul 2, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, Chicken Soup for the
Preteen Soul 2, Chicken Soup Christmas Treasury for Kids, Chicken Soup for
the Child’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul. Hansen also coauthored
Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul and Out of the Blue: Delight Comes into Our
Lives.

Lisa’s husband, Jimmy, bought their café 15 years ago, when it was known as the Q Restaurant. Two years ago, business was slow, so his wife — a life coach — brought her skills onboard. Thus was born the Q Kindness Café, and business has improved.

Kindness multiplied in such great amounts at the Q Kindness Cafe that St. Paul’s mayor proclaimed the first week of every month Kindness Week. Suddenly, Lisa’s one-woman quest to ramp up random acts of kindness became more than she ever imagined.

Thank you for sharing Lisa!

Imagine kindness everywhere…people giving to give and not to get…

Imagine the life lessons we’d learn
when the gifts we gave keep on giving
in ways beyond our imagination…

Imagine the stimulation in our own lives
and the lives of others as we focus
in all that we have to give…

Imagine the reality we can create by
living in the giving and not the get…

What if each one of us invites another to give…
What if we teach the world to give…in small, thoughtful ways…

What if the giving became the stimulus
that helps us spiral up and out of any mess we’re in…

Instead of going around in a vicious circle, what if we changed one simple thing?

Give a little more. Spread kindness. Offer hope. Give of our self.

Imagine that!
One good deed deserves another and on and on…

Imagine how this could
stimulate our economy;
stimulate the world;
stimulate your world.

Create a stimulus package of your own!
Today!
Now!
And feel good knowing that you make a difference every day.

___________________________________________________________________

Special Message from Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady:
Would you like to be “highlighted” on the Happy Wednesday Broadcast?

Just e-mail your inspirational video, audio or poem with tips to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line. Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you and a link to your website.

My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:

- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!

To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com

Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
__________________________________________

Tune in…

Single Again! Now What? with your host, Joanie Winberg.

Each week, Joanie’s special guests will share tips to support, encourage, inspire, make you laugh or just be the right thing you need to hear at this time in your life.

Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in: 347- 215-6997

Click here for upcoming shows…

Joanie Winberg,
A Business/Personal Coach- specializing in Divorce, Speaker,
Human Behavior Consultant, and a Certified Laughter Leader

Michael, who defied all odds after being shot in the head, is a husband, father, social worker, author, and inspirational speaker. His “miraculous” comeback story was first published in Chicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul. He has a CD of 12 of his inspirational short stories, entitled POSSIBLE, available on his web site. For more information, go to www.InspirationByMike.com

“A Lesson in Love”
By Michael Jordan Segal, MSW

Audio- “A Lesson in Love”

“I never liked rings. I do not wear a high school ring; I do not wear a college ring; and I did not want to wear a wedding ring. This was not because I did not want people to know that I was married, but because I just did not feel comfortable with a ring on my finger.

After graduating from college I finally was about to “pop the question” to my high school sweetheart, Sharon Gail Weingarton, who continually was at my side when I was almost fatally injured during a robbery.

Sharon was the best — pretty, kind, sweet, and good-hearted. However, what would she say when I proposed and said that I did not want to wear a wedding ring? I practiced what I was going to say to her. I thought long and hard. I finally decided that there was no answer to my dilemma. I would simply tell her, and then wait five minutes listening to her explode.

So that night I proposed, and afterwards I told Sharon that I was not going to wear a ring. I simply said: “I just don’t like rings. I don’t wear a high school ring…” I expected Sharon to become enraged: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE NOT GOING TO WEAR A WEDDING RING?”

However, instead, I merely heard silence. After what in my mind seemed like an eternity, Sharon calmly remarked: “Fine. If you don’t want to wear a wedding ring, I won’t change my name. I will not call myself Sharon Segal.”

On our Fifteenth Anniversary, I remembered my first lesson of marriage that was taught to me by my wife Sharon Gail Segal as I looked down upon the ring on my ring finger — COMPROMISE.”

___________________________________________________________________

Special Message from Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady:

Would you like to be “highlighted” on the Happy Wednesday Broadcast?

Just e-mail your inspirational or motivational video, audio or poem with tips to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line. Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you and a link to your website.

My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:

- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!

To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com.

Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
__________________________________________

Tune in…

Single Again! Now What? with your host, Joanie Winberg.

Each week, Joanie’s special guests will share tips to support, encourage, inspire, make you laugh or just be the right thing you need to hear at this time in your life.

Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in: 347- 215-6997

Click here for upcoming shows…

Joanie Winberg,
A Business/Personal Coach- specializing in Divorce, Speaker,
Human Behavior Consultant, and a Certified Laughter Leader

Kim Cameron spent the last decade working up the corporate ladder but there was always something
missing in her life. In 2007, a family tragedy led her to re-evaluate her life and goals.

So Kim decided to finally break free from the corporate cage and pursue her lifelong passion for music.
As the lead singer/songwriter of Side FX, Kim Cameron is finally living her dream.

Today’s video is called “My Hero” written for our military by Kim.
Take 5 minutes out of your busy day…relax and enjoy! Click here- “My Hero”

Special Message from Joanie:

I am honored that the Happy Wednesday Broadcast is helping make a difference every Wednesday
by inspiring people across the United States as well as 20+ countries around the world.

My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:

- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.

I hope you like the new format for the Happy Wednesday Broadcast. Be part of the excitement that is sweeping the nation…the world!

Just e-mail us your inspirational video, audio or poem with tips to help make a difference to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line.

Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you and a link to your website.

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!

To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com..

Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.

Single Again! Now What? Talk Radio Show
Tune in to listen to our most resent talk show with June Dillinger, author of the “Benefit of the X.”

Click here for upcoming shows…

Check it out…
Joanie’s interview on the “Starting Today” Talk Radio Show with host, Judith Wentzel.

Topic: Divorce Coach, Joanie Winberg Saves Marriages – 5 Tips on How to Enjoy a Happy Marriage and
Keep it That Way.

I am honored that the Happy Wednesday Broadcast is helping to make a difference every Wednesday by inspiring people across the United States as well as 20+ countries around the world.

My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:

- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.

The Happy Wednesday Broadcast is starting a new format next week by accepting qualified poems, videos, and quotes with tips from people around the world. The broadcast will be a place where people can come together and share their inspiration to help make a difference. E-mail me for more information- jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast request in the subject line.

Today’s Special Message

The Cab Ride I’ll Never Forget
~ Kent Nerburn

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.

Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked.

“Just a minute,” answered a frail, elderly voice.

I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

“It’s nothing,” I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.”

“Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”

“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly.

“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.”

I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

“I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I don’t have very long.”

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to take?” I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she’d ask me to go slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.”

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.

It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

“How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse.

“Nothing,” I said.

“You have to make a living,” she answered.

“There are other passengers.”

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life. We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Something to think about…
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID,
BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!

To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com.

Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com

Single Again! Now What? with your host, Joanie Winberg.

Each week, Joanie’s special guests will share tips to support, encourage, inspire, make you laugh or just be the right thing you need to hear at this time in your life.

Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in: 347- 215-6997

Most Recent Show

January 14, 2009
Guest- Patricia Gallagher

The Gallagher family’s new book-
NO MORE SECRETS – A FAMILY SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION,
ANXIETY AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

Tune in… “Single Again! Now What!” Blog Talk Radio Show

Trisha has been a guest on Oprah three times and two times each on Maury Povich, CNN, Sally Jessy Raphael and the 700 Club. She has also appeared with Joan Lunden, former host of Good Morning America as well as the CBS Early Show, CNBC, FNN, and many others. She is the author of seven books and has been a product spokesperson for many corporations including Holiday Inn and Johnson and Johnson.

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