It’s that time of year again and NO, I’m not talking about the amazing sales going on at Macy’s or the newest publicity stunt one of the Kardashian’s just pulled. It’s the most wonderful time of year, the holiday season! Not all of us have the same feeling about the holidays.

I did not want this blog to be about social media or the latest trending hashtag, but I think it’s important to recognize the post that has been shared over 140,000 times. Michigan, resident Lisa Sarber Aldrich went to get a birthday cake decorated at her local food store.

Aldrich stated "I picked out a cake at Meijer. Asked a bakery-looking-employee if she could write on it for me. She said she would, and after a long time, she came and presented me with this cake. I looked her in the eye and said thank you before I even looked at the cake," she wrote on Facebook.

Then something truly heartwarming occurred while Aldrich was paying for her cake. "One cashier put her arm on my shoulder and said, 'The girl who wrote that has autism. Thank you for smiling and thanking her even though she's not supposed to write on cakes, you probably made her day,' ‚“Aldrich wrote.

I want to personally thank Lisa Sarber Aldrich because that small gesture touched my heart and has encouraged me to pay it forward. We all get so caught up in our own lives (especially this time of year) we miss the little moments that matter most to the people around us. And if you think about it- we spend more time at work with our clients and co-workers than we do with our families- it’s even more important to not take those moments for granted.

I am the Sales and Marketing Coordinator here at Concepts TV Productions where customer relations are my top priority. I strive to reach out to as many existing/potential clients as I can to catch up and if I can potentially brighten their day a little, I consider it a job well done. In sales, I’ve learned people sell to people. If I can establish a good relationship with that person, it will more than likely convert into a successful work relationship.

So thank you Lisa- because of you, I’ve made an extra effort in asking my co-workers and clients about their day, their weekends, their families, and their kids. I’ve made a bigger effort in picking up the phone to speak to my clients for that extra personal touch- versus just sending an email. And when one of my co-workers is overwhelmed or having a bad day, I’ve really tried to do anything and everything I can to help them out- even if it’s just to lend an ear. You never know the battle someone is fighting, so why not just lend a helping hand or at least a smile. It’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

By: Lauren Fahey