Lilly

When discussing Love it, Live it, Give it we can sometimes focus on big gestures, and only the big picture without remembering to consider all the small things. These little details can be the essence of true impact. Sometimes these gestures seem minute to the person performing them, even insignificant to them at times. They may think of them as things everyone must be doing.

Although the small acts may seem insignificant in real time, their impact creates a ripple effect felt throughout the organization. Whether it is setting timers to ensure members can transition between activities successfully, approaching every situation with a calm beyond their years, or just running to another clubhouse after all the members have left just to say hello to their coworkers.

Lilly does all these things and so much more without even realizing it. Lilly may not know how often she makes an impact and how significant her impact is, but that is how Lilly shows she is loving, living, and giving it every day. Whether Lilly is helping at work when kids are not yet there or working even harder when the kids are, she never fails to go above and beyond. When a member was struggling with anxiety about transitions, she set reminders on her phone to help the member build routine and structure to help them be successful. I highlight this fact, because while I was visiting this clubhouse, another member was having a tough day. When I pulled them aside to speak with them, the member responded with, “Just set a timer for five minutes, I should be ready to talk once it’s done.” I had a puzzled look on my face, and the member just looked back at me and said, “it’s what Lilly does.” I was so taken aback I just paused. This member had struggled with regulation and self-control often and I was so inspired and hugely impressed with the work Lilly had done with them. When I later asked Lilly about it, she just shrugged and said, “oh yeah, I’ve been doing that for a while.” It was not something profound for Lilly, it was simply just something she did. Lilly has had these ‘small’  successes with all members, and she ensures they feel safe and confident at the club.

Lilly continuously does these things to help members be more successful, and when working with this specific member and many others in comparable situations, it has at times been incredibly challenging. However, Lilly continues to treat every situation with a level, calm, and compassionate approach. She chooses to look at the larger picture and what it’s going to take to get there. Even if it what it takes to get there may seem minute and insignificant to others, it is just what Lilly does.