Angel among us.

Well, I would expect a very pregnant Angel (one of our Chiropractic Assistants for over seven years now), will be a bit emotional over this one.  But it will be worth it, and I think I can find some teaching in here as well 🙂

So Angel Pittenger-Morris came to us, looking for a job that would help her on her way with a move from Florida to Atlanta (Woodstock).  She had some chiropractic experience, and though she came off as not necessarily being completely confident in the role, she did have what I desired for the position above anything else, a happy demeanor.

Angel was married last fall, and after a little more than a month, she became pregnant.  Cool, especially because she has voiced her desire to have a baby over the years, and has used that desire as a driving force behind her health decisions.  Though “perfection” in her diet has not been the greatest accomplishment, she has easily come further in her dietary changes than anything else.  But there is one thing that has stood out to me about Angel over the years, and this one thing is what I can teach on.

An overwhelming interest in others.  I will say however, very quickly, that she does not multi task well.  So if there has ever been a time where you have felt like she ignored you when you were in need of something, or she seemed to walk by you without saying hi, you need to forgive that as simply being focused.  But when she stops to say hi, she will notice a minute change in your hair, or your posture.  She is quick to see something different in someone, and to bring out the positive of it.  It was only six months into her time with HealthSprout, that I noticed many patients stopping to talk to her on their way out of the office.

This trait is the key to community.

com·mu·ni·ty  

Community, the definition above (1) sums up what I want to talk about.  Common owership.  Common focus, common beliefs, common objectives.  All of these are what I consider to be community, and it has been so obvious to me over the last seven years, that in order to develop community, you first start with a trust.  A trust that something important to you, would be important to someone else who you are in community with.  And that trust starts with taking notice.

How many times have you seen the same person at the grocery store checkout, and have you gotten to know that person?  I have about five people at Trader Joe’s who I know, well.  Well, in that they know what I do, they know what I believe, I have a sense of how they spend their free time, I know that they are career TJ’s employees, and not just passing through.  I am in community with these people, and in most cases, because they have taken notice of me!  Not vice versa.  So where does that leave me?  Blessed I guess.

Which begs the question, “WHO AM I BLESSING?”

So, I hope it is you.  I like to take notice of where you are going on vacation, when you are, who you are going with, why you are going.  When you haven’t gone, why not?  Is it financial, or are you too busy?  How is your career, are you interested and engaged by it?  What does your life call you to do?  I have gotten better and better at this thought process, by watching others, and one of those others has been Angel.

“Dude, your hair looks awesome!  I love it!  I love the way the color blends along the side, and the cut wraps your face so perfectly!”  – No, I don’t know how to say things like this.  But I have heard Angel complement so many people on subtle changes to their appearance.  It has been a joy to hear these things.

So now, however.  Angel will be leaving us.  Her last day is this Wednesday morning.  After that, she and her husband Brian will be moving out to the Eastern side of Atlanta to get closer to his job, and there they will be prepared to raise their baby boy.  I will miss having Angel around, and I will surely look to make sure that we work hard to fill that gap in complementing that will be left behind.  Her spirit is one of care and love, and that is the best thing we can possess.

May God bless her and her family, and may you find a way to bless someone else who you are in daily community with through observation and complement.  It is well worth the effort.

May God Bless you! – Dr. E