It doesn’t take much. A few words, a simple action. A grimace, a
smile, a shrug
… No, it doesn’t take much to make or break another person’s
day.
It doesn’t take much. A few words, a simple action. A grimace, a smile, a shrug … No, it doesn’t take much to make or break another person’s day.
I guess I’m at the age where I’m keenly aware of the little things that young, not easily impressed people seem to be in too big of a hurry to notice. I’m always making mental notes of those deeds I’d like to imitate and learning to shrug off the bad ones ASAP.
Let’s start with a few examples of the “it’s all about me” folks …. (Ah, so many opportunities to practice the art of forgiveness!)
– First on my list are retail and restaurant workers with apathetic or rude attitudes. When I worked at Mikasa, we were trained and mystery-shopper-checked frequently to make sure we were well versed in customer service. The current lack of market place professionalism puzzles me. Have employers given up trying to train or do workers just refuse to comply? There are a couple of local stores where I now refuse to shop and one restaurant that’s skating on the edge. I don’t care to leave money in a place that consistently sends me away grumpy – not because they don’t carry what I need but because no one will help me find it!
– Then, there’s arrogant drivers. Seems like every time I go to the tenth street shopping centers lately, the final set of lights is blinking red (which means, for all of you cheaters out there, you’re supposed to take turns passing through the intersection!) In no time, traffic is backed up to Chestnut and some guy (yes, it’s usually a male in a souped up mega truck) scoots around all the waiting cars and squeezes into the front of the line as if his time or errand is more important. Grrrrr! Flagrantly irritating!
– Of course, we all have friends or family with a knack for ruining a perfectly good day. Those cuts hurt more because it seems like acquaintances should care more or know better. It’s hard when loved ones take us for granted, criticize our best efforts, break promises, lie, talk about us or forget to say ‘thanks’ when we’ve sacrificed in their behalf. (We’re not even talking about the big stuff-those who renege on financial agreements or cheat us out of our share of an inheritance. Those betrayals do more than ruin an afternoon, they leave their fingerprints on our hearts forever.)
– This last one’s going to sound corny, but … it actually darkens my day when I hear Americans spout hateful monologues about our country. I’m not talking about all the Bush bashers, I understand they’re temporarily angry with a man they didn’t vote for. I’m talking about those who rage viciously and continuously against the US. Their insults feel like fiery darts randomly hoping to hit and wound any kind of patriotic target.
Just about the time I feel like running away to live like a hermit in a tin cabin for the rest of my life, some kind soul comes through with a well aimed, heart melting, awesome deed. Something that rekindles my desire to live and laugh among other homo sapiens in this beautiful, pleasant valley.
In our very large small town, my day is often brightened by strangers who generously and spontaneously choose to make a difference. As I mentioned in a recent column, they: give unsolicited compliments, help with heavy tasks, smile, say ‘thank you’ or chat while we’re waiting in line together.
Of course, friends and family have even greater power to transform ordinary days into extraordinarily bright ones. Like …
– Surprising us with something that’s taken time and effort to prepare.
– Spending time with us or listening without judgment, sermons or attempts to “fix.”
– Overlooking social blunders. (Since I’m such a social klutz, I really appreciate the mountains of grace I get in this arena.)
– Believing in and supporting our dreams.
My wish for all us this week is that at least once a day, we’ll be aware of a special balcony person standing near and choosing to act in our behalf. A person who can out-cheer any basement moment life lobs our way. A person who “knows the song in our heart and is willing to sing it back to us when we’ve forgotten the words.”
