"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."

I received a thank-you note yesterday from Jill Buckendahl.  For those of you who don't know Jill, she has worked for the past couple of years in the marketing department.  And, in those two years, she made quite a difference.  

Today is Jill's last day.  She is chasing a dream and moving to Texas.  It is a big step for her because she doesn't know anyone there.  I know one thing for sure; she will be missed here.  Not only will she be missed because she did a wonderful job and was fully committed, she will be missed because she herself is wonderful.  But, that is not what this story is about...  I'm getting there...

First of all, I love to receive notes.  It is the very first piece of mail I open.  Really...who doesn't?  There is always a bit of anticipation.  Who is it from?  What does it say?  What did I do that prompted a note?  These are all things that go through my mind.  

Well, when I opend this note, I was surprised to see that so much was written.  So, I read it.  Here is what it said:

Eric, Well, this is it - it's my last week at HSOI.  To say the least, I am full of many emotions, but one of the most prominent is sheer gratitude.  I am so honored to have been a part of this team and I appreciate the fact that you always treat people like a team.  We're all in this together after all:-).  I have seen you go out of your way numerous times to ensure this team is doing alright, and you know what?  That is not something you can teach -  you have a beautiful, caring heart.  I have no doubt that I am not the only one who thinks this, but I wanted to tell you so you knew it too:-).  Thank you deeply for being so helpful;  I have truely appreciated it.  You are a shooting star Eric - don't ever change that.  All the best, Jill

That note stopped me right in my tracks.  It hit me squarely in my heart.  I am humbled to receive such a beautiful note.  It made my day - week - and month!

It's interesting how things like this happen.  In my role, I work hard to build and work as a team.  It isn't easy.  I think we are stronger when we work together as a team.  I love the fact that we have a diverse group of people who are different ages and have different backgrounds.  I enjoy hearing different perspectives than mine.  Most of all, I want the people that I work with to know that I care about them.  I didn't realize that this actually came through - and someone actually recognized it - and told me so.

So, I picked up the phone and called my good friend Matt Andersen to tell him about the note.  I read it to him.  After I was finished, you know what he said?  "Would you like to hear mine?"  

His note was just as long, just as thoughtful, and just as moving as the one she wrote for me.  Whoa.  These notes took some time and thought to write - and they are hand-written to boot.

The picture to the right is of Jill and me at the company golf outing today;  her last day.  After the photo was taken she asked, "Do we look cute?"  I replied, "You do."  Someone else said, "Jill, you always look cute."  

I discovered later that Jill did not only send these beautiful notes to Matt Andersen and me.  She wrote 135 of these thank-you notes!  135!!!  She told 135 people in a hand-written note how they impacted her in a positive way and thanked them.  Wow.  The ripple effects of this very simple act will last for years to come.

I love the quote by St. Teresa of Calcutta to the right, "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."

Imagine for a minute, that every person who reads this message made a point to thank 135 people like Jill did.  What would happen?  

I know one thing that would happen...the writer of the notes would be thought of very highly for the act.  I know for sure that 135 people think Jill is pretty darn awesome.  You see the small act of saying "thank-you" and "I love you" is the stone cast across the water, the results are the ripple effect that lasts and lasts.

Jill set the bar pretty high with 135 notes.  It would be earth-shattering if we all wrote 135 notes this wee.  But, that seems a bit unrealistic.  However,wouldn't it be great if we all wrote five notes this week to people that we love and care about?  I'm in.  Are you in with me?

God speed Jill Buckendahl in your new adventure.  Never stop being you.  Now get out there and chase your dreams!

Have a great week!