They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I am notorious for seeing ideas and copying them. And when people copy my ideas I am super flattered. My “movement” is to have thoughtfulness imitated throughout the world. I know that is a lofty goal but joy is contagious and we definitely experience joy when we see or learn of someone being thoughtful. I can only hope that thoughtfulness is a by-product of people imitating other people. 

The whole reason that Thoughtful Pinch started is because I like to acknowledge teachers with tiny gifts for many holidays. My reasoning was that giving gifts for Christmas and the End of the Year to teachers were good gestures but letting them know that I “see” them and appreciate them as much as possible was better.  Hence why using the other holidays during the school year as excuses to keep the educators feeling special became my specialty. My friends would see me gifting the teachers and wanted me to go into business for them to buy the gifts from me so that they too could let their teachers know that they see and care about them. I did not want to go into that business. Instead I wrote the blog so that they could copy me. 

Recently I went to lunch with my neighbor Leslie and we discussed the noble profession of educators. Her husband is an educator and she is a lawyer. We talked about how it takes a different kind of person to be an educator and we agreed that it’s a shame that teachers’ salaries do not reflect the hard work they put into their jobs. I shared with her that I even lost money being a preschool teacher because I was constantly buying things for the classroom and the cost of gas for my commute was putting me at a negative balance. She knew exactly what I was talking about because they too have been in that situation. We talked about the fundraiser at my kids’ school that just happened in May. The parents of students at our school raised money to give each teacher a cash bonus for the next two years. I always wished that we could give each teacher an all-expense paid vacation to Hawaii or a destination of their choice but since that wasn’t happening, cash is always a good alternative. Teachers are special people and deserve any recognition and monetary reward they can get. 

Leslie shared that her husband enjoyed teaching so much and the reward has been the difference he makes in people’s lives. Yes, that is why people become educators:THEY MAKE DIFFERENCES IN PEOPLES LIVES. Teacher’s hearts are the size of Texas and the lives they impact can ripple on for generations to come. It just takes someone with the patience of a saint to teach any and all ages. That’s all, just that one trait that most of us do not have.

I will say that sometimes I wish I could just give all the teachers cash. It would be much easier for me and I’m sure they would appreciate it over an item that I buy at Dollar Tree. Cash seems cold and maybe even not very thoughtful but most people need money so it’s not as if we would be giving them something they wouldn’t ever use. There are so many cute ways to give cash so we can still be thoughtful when giving cash. But I do like giving educators tiny pinches that they wouldn’t buy for themselves; being frivolous is ok because that’s the point. 

Today I’m going to share with you a story that I love so much: 

At this same lunch, my neighbor Leslie shared that on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, a man in a cap and a COVID mask knocked on their door - he handed her husband Conor an envelope. The man said “I think you’ll like this.” before walking away. They didn’t recognize him. They opened the envelope. It included one smaller envelope with $2000 and another envelope with $1000.  The letter enclosed was from an anonymous family. The letter said that at Thanksgiving, when the family was thinking about who they were grateful for this year, they thought of Mr. B (Leslie’s husband). In the letter the family said that Conor had a profound impact on their child (who had already graduated from the school) and is changing lives through his passionate teaching. The family said that they appreciated Conor’s investment and dedication in their child and they know he will continue to impact others. The family also noted Conor’s commitment to the refugee population and environment and asked that he use the envelope with $1000 for any causes in a way that will make a difference. All of the cash in both envelopes were in $100 bill increments and somehow that made it even more touching to Leslie and Conor. 

I mean, can you stand it?  I LOVE THIS. I never really ever thought about giving a gift to someone so that they could give a gift to someone else. I do know people donate money towards an organization or cause in honor of someone which is very cool too. But this gesture is above and beyond thoughtful. It’s like paying it forward only it’s intentionally empowering the receiver to choose who they want to give to while also giving them something to keep as well. I am totally copying this idea  - obviously not the amounts given - but the gesture itself. So brilliant.

Some people keep their pulse on fashion or interior design trends. But me, I’m always keeping my eyes and ears open for thoughtful pinches. This gesture was a no-brainer - it’s thoughtfulness on steroids. Of course when Leslie told me this story I exclaimed, “I am totally copying this idea!” If you’re like me, you keep good ideas on file (mentally, on a spreadsheet, in an app and/or using Pinterest etc). I will use this gift idea when it’s appropriate and I will always think of educators like Conor when I do. Just know that when I tell someone I’m copying their idea, it’s the highest form of flattery. 

Pinches,

Barb