Today's post is sponsored by the letter
Yesterday, as I was running around town frantically trying to get everything on my do list completed, I realized something. I was in a bad mood. I was so busy doing my own thing, that I hadn't bothered to think how my mood might influence others. The lady at the Shopko checkout was really nice to the lady in front of me, but when I stepped up, she was quiet. When I stopped to get gas, I actually told the pump it was stupid . . . OUT LOUD . . . so everyone within listening distance could hear me. And when I picked up my son from school and he started asking questions about what we had planned that evening, I actually told him to hush. I just couldn't handle his usual drama.
Then something HORRIBLE happened.
I walked into the local hardware store to buy one of those little spring loaded toilet paper roll holder doohickeys and a stranger had the nerve to SMILE at me. Not just a little passing grin, but one of those ear-to-ear-I'm-having-a-GREAT-day-and-want-to-share-it-with-you kind of smiles. The kind of happiness that starts deep down in the gut and radiates through the whole body and you can actually see it oozing from the pores. THAT kind of smile.
I FROZE!
I mean, what was I supposed to do, smile back at the guy. Seriously?
Then, before I could stop it, I felt the corners of my mouth begin to twitch and . . .
I SMILED BACK!
And MEANT it.
And as if that wasn't enough, the guy told me to have a nice day.
Yep, you guessed it. I said, "You too."
I have to admit that the rest of my day was pretty fantastic. ONE smile changed my attitude. It made me wonder how many people's day I could have brightened if I would have been the first one to smile instead of waiting for someone else to show me some kindness. How many of us rely on others to uplift US when we should be the ones doing the uplifting? I'd venture to say, quite a few.
When was the last time you went out of your way to spread a little kindness? Is there something special you like to do to cheer others when they're down?
I hate those days when I feel like that. :( A smile can do wonders for people though. If I notice a saleperson or something having a hard time with a customer, (as in a customer is freaking out at them) I wait until it's my turn and am extra nice. I also try to smile at people, even if I'm in a bad mood myself. It makes me feel a little better about my day. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! I make it a game to get a grumpy-looking cashier to smile. Nine times out of ten, I do. :D
ReplyDeleteI envy those people who have faces that always look smiley. Me--I have to make the effort. This was a great story. I'm going to blog kindness on my blog today, too, and put a link to your post.
ReplyDeleteYes! Great story, Christine. I tell my students all the time that they have the power to change someone's day. You just proved it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why, but your background keeps going black on me! I was able to read most of your post though, and I agree, Kindness can go a long way!
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