This is a simple story about how a simple gesture, when offered sincerely, can make a world of difference.

When approaching the Atlanta offices of Hospital News from the highway, the first thing one notices are the two impressive twin towers traditionally known as the King Building and the Queen Building. Our offices are in the Queen Building and the first time I entered as a new tenant, I was greeted warmly and enthusiastically by a gentleman all bedecked in a nice looking tie and blazer, which had affixed to it a badge identifying him as an employee of Walden Security.

I have to admit, the spirit with which he delivered the "good morning, sir," accompanied by his broad smile took me a little by surprise. It was a nice interruption in a morning already dampened by the gloom and doom that continues to dog our economy and seems to have hit the newspaper business particularly hard.

Okay, maybe he's having a particularly good morning, I thought. We'll see how long this lasts. And so day after day, as I entered the building each morning, or after lunch, or upon returning from a meeting, there he was. And there was that positive attitude. And that smile. (Did he ever have a bad day, I wondered? Honestly, there was never a hint or sign that his life was anything but good.)

I suppose some people are turned off by this - almost as if facing such a positive person each morning puts an undue burden on you to respond in kind. It speaks, I suppose, to how stressed and how angry some of us have become. After all, I doubt that security personnel are paid extra for every smile they flash or warm greeting they offer. Some just do it because, well, that's the kind of person they are, intent on spreading good cheer rather than indifference or cynicism.

The lesson from all of this, at least for me, is that we too often overlook the seemingly small things we can do each day that could add up to a world of positive difference. I wish I could tell you that, since encountering that security guard each day, my demeanor has completely changed. It hasn't. My hidden Becker still bubbles to the top all too often. But I'm trying.

By the way, that security guard's name is Dave Martin, and it's one that I will not soon forget. I don't know where he developed such an upbeat attitude - maybe his family encouraged it in him from the time he was little - but I'm glad it's there. In my opinion, every morning I enter my Atlanta office, I am greeted by a true prince of a man. I try to remember to let him know I appreciate the way he does his job but I wanted to do something a little more to let him know how he has inspired at least one fellow human being to approach each day with enthusiasm and gratitude.

Dave has taught me to wake up looking forward to each day. And today, during a time of the year when we're encouraged to give thanks and count our blessings, I'm particularly excited to do that because I'm going to hand him a copy of this issue and say, Dave, this one's for you." No doubt he'll read this publisher's note and want to thank me. But Dave, you don't have to. You are the one who deserves to be thanked, for making each day just a little more tolerable and reminding me - and everyone else you greet - that there still is joy to be found in life, if you just take the time to look for it.

Harvey Kart