Deep down, we want to know we matter…that we play a meaningful role in the world.

We all want to be noticed.
To feel important, valuable, and visible.

Deep down, we want to know we matter…that we play a meaningful role in the world. To know our presence leaves even a small, positive mark in any situation.

Some people will claim they don’t care about those things. That it doesn’t matter to them. 

I’m not convinced. They may not want their picture all over social media, but we all want to know we are contributing.

However, we all encounter people who seem unwilling to contribute anything at all. You know the type. No offer to help. No encouragement. No conversation. They simply exist—and somehow manage to drain the room of healthy energy while doing it.

A friend recently told me a story that illustrates this perfectly. He spent an afternoon replacing warped and decayed siding on his neighbor’s house. He’s the kind of guy who genuinely enjoys helping—especially when it involves tools and improving someone else’s home.

For four hours, he measured, cut, nailed, and adjusted until the job was done. And the entire time, another able-bodied neighbor sat a few yards away in a lawn chair and watched. No offer to grab a hammer. No extra set of hands. Not a word of encouragement.

My friend wasn’t looking for applause. But help, or at least acknowledgment, would have been appreciated. His irritated summary said it all: “He was a waste of oxygen the entire time.”

Contrast that with a moment I experienced at a ballgame last week. As we waited for my son’s tipoff, a woman tapped me on the shoulder and said, “I just want you to know I really look forward to your Thursday articles.”

That single sentence mattered more than she probably realized. We talked briefly about her family, her kids, and the challenges they’re facing with aging parents. In just a few minutes, she created real value for me…just by saying something.

A short time later, a little girl—maybe four or five—stumbled on the steps next to me and kicked over a trash bucket. Not dry paper trash. Ballgame trash. Hot dogs, chili, soda, napkins—the full mess.

I picked up the bucket and started cleaning it up while she smiled at me and went back to her Ring Pop. Fifteen minutes later, a friend walking by joked about my “trash pickup duty.” It was her way of saying, I saw that. Thank you. It mattered.

Here’s the point.

You don’t have to do home improvement projects for a neighbor to create value.

With that said, the smallest, simplest gestures matter deeply.
“It looks great.”
“You’re always helping others.”
“I appreciate you and what you did.”

And if you can’t find the words…for the love of Pete, grab a hammer!

Small moments matter. Encouragement matters. Being seen is what we’re all after.

The person sitting next to you needs you—whether you know them or not.

It’s free and takes less than 6 seconds…but it does take some courage.

And if you’re not a “words of affirmation” person? That’s fine.
The person you’re about to encourage may very well be.

I hope this reminder is helpful.

Our goal is to provide as many of these opportunities for our guests at Lone Oak as possible.

Remain Encouraged,
Brian