It's November and there is this Facebook thing that you post every day about the things you are thankful for. Lots of people make fun of this trend, but I think it's kind of cool. I tend to be a "pollyana" about most things in life, seeing things, etc. So, it's the eighth day of the month, I got started a little late but I kind of like taking a minute each day to consider what I am thankful for. Honestly, it should probably be a trend every day of the year.
That said, I posted today that I was thankful to have finally found a good carwash. Not earth shatteringly awesome or anything but it sure did make me happy. I mean, I am fairly certain I haven't gotten a good car wash since moving away from Phoenix (almost 4 years ago!). That was at 4:30, so late enough in the day that I thought that should cover it. And the day had already been good. I worked from home this morning (read: got to wear pajamas!) and talked with a lady I've been stalking for 4 weeks (small victories!). Anyway...
As it turns out, the Universe had much, much more in mind for me this pre-evening (in the words of Sheldon Cooper). (side note: if you don't know who that is, I suggest catching an episode of the Big Bang Theory on TBS or CBS-- so so funny, in my humble opinion). After the car wash I went on a mission to buy jeans. I now live in a cold city and have a casual but not pajama-appropriate job now, so I need a t least one more pair for the winter. So I headed to Nordstrom (they do free alterations) and started to look around. I tried some stuff on and in the dressing room there was a sweet little note (Smile! You look great!). Awesome! Everyone needs a little friendly encouragement when trying on jeans. Even with the encouragement, sadly, no jeans, but I did find a sweater that was priced at $150 but they accidentally marked it on sale for $30. Since it is Nordstrom they honored it! Amazing! I was seriously so excited. Then I went over to DSW to find some comfortable walking shoes that were also rain/snow- worthy shoes (good treads). Not only did I find a pair but found out I had $50 in unused coupons, so basically I got a sweet pair of kicks for $2! For reals! I was so pumped (still am!).
Literally, after the working from home, the sweet car wash, and my smoking deals I did not think the day could get better, but it did! I got two sweet notes from good pals (that meant more than any deals or awesome car wash). My heart was just full, Almost to the point of bringing tears to my eyes. I was so overwhelmed with the goodness from my day, I was actually thinking I needed to readjust my FB post to include the other things, especially the friends part of the day. I popped to the grocery store on my way home and that is where the true blessing of my day came.
I went to grab some veggies to make the soup I have been meaning to make for 3 days. I only had a few veggies, some crackers, some coffee and misc other essentials that I forgot on my first trip to the grocery since moving into my new place (olive oil, pepper, etc). I got in a short line behind a lady with a little boy, He was darling. While in line we played a little peek-a-boo and he showed me his little toothy grin. I just thought...one more happy thing to be thankful for today. The line was long, so we stood for about 10 minutes. The woman started checking out and was paying very close attention to the total bill. And as it got higher I could see her getting nervous and starting to move items further back (as though they weren't as important as the other things). When her total reached $50, she told the cashier to stop that she was going to need to put some things back. She looked sheepishly The cashier told her, to forget it, he would put the items away. He was irritated. The woman had tears in her voice and she apologized profusely and told the guy she just added wrong when she was shopping. That she only had $50 to buy things today and they would need to come back in two weeks. I didn't mean to listen but I was standing super close. And my heart broke. As she counted the cash for the cashier, I really looked at her. She was clean, but her clothes were worn, old. She had dark circles under her eyes, and she was just a little too thin. The items she had deemed "non-essential" were some apples, toilet paper, kleenex and some cleaner. She paid and started to walk away. I asked the cashier to ring them up and asked the bagger to chase after her, just to tell her she had forgotten the bag. The items totaled less than I would have spent on my shoes.
I checked out, the cashier just kept staring at me. So did the irritated guy behind me. I didn't say anything, and walked out toward my car. The woman was standing with the bagger waiting. She grabbed me, hugged me and sobbed. She shared her whole story (too much to explain). I bought her one bag of groceries. One bag. That small expense meant the difference between having some essentials and not for her. And it made me thankful. And reminded me how lucky I am to have a good job, a supportive family, and people who love me.
During this month-long trend of being thankful, I realized all the other things I am thankful for come back to the basics.
I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for wonderful friends. I am thankful for love. And the security that those things bring to my life no matter what else happens.
Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
it's the little things
Something I have know for probably all my life, but a theme that keeps popping up in my daily world- it's the little things that make a difference. (It could be I am just paying more attention these days.)
I've been noticing how much the little things matter.
In my work.
In my relationships.
In my daily life.
It's the little things that really make a difference.
An unexpected card in the mail just to say hello.
An email filled with good news.
An unexpected encounter in a public place.
A kind word or gesture can make all the difference in someone's world.
I try to make the effort to bring unexpected joy to my favorites. But sometimes life just gets in the way.
For some reason, my attitude was a little poor for the last year. I had a lot on my mind. Not an excuse, but sort of an excuse.
And now, as Em would say, I have brain space to spare.
I can be more patient with other airline travelers.
I can smile at the passerbys.
I do these things without thinking much of it. But as it's been happening more and more I realize how much of it I did not do this past year.
Especially on a day like today.
I popped into the grocery store on the way back from the post office and was trying to be efficient, but spotted an older woman who looked like she was struggling with her purchases. As I walked in from the parking lot I saw five people pass her and she still struggled. As I got closer, I just asked her if she needed help. She started to cry. She did need help. And simple help. She just needed someone to help her carry her storage boxes to her car (which was in a hadicapped space just across the driveway, btw). She had a Cadillac walker (I don't know what they're really called, but that's what my dad called my grandmas. The cadillac- a walker that you can sit on.) and had balaned the purchased storage bins on the seat section and thought she could just make it the 50 steps to the car. It didn't work out.
It took me less than 2 minutes to walk her boxes to the car and put them in the trunk. It took me, with my funky bones and constant limp, less than 2 minutes to help her. It was no big deal to me. But it was to her.
She told me she had been standing there for 5 minutes trying to figure out how to manuever and I was the only one who looked at her and made eye contact and then actaully offered to help.
The boxes were for boxing up her recently deseased husband's belongings. She is moving out of their home and into a place closer to her children in Oregon. She was teary just talking about it. To be honest, I got a little choked up too (who wouldn't?). She tried to pay me (ridiculous) and then just gave me a hug. I made sure she was set and went on my way.
I grabbed my groceries and still made it home in plenty of time to have lunch (write a blog post), and be early for the next conference call of the day.
All of this was to simply share a reminder to take a minute to be kind. To help a friend, neighbor, or a stranger. It could be the most important thing you do all day.
I've been noticing how much the little things matter.
In my work.
In my relationships.
In my daily life.
It's the little things that really make a difference.
An unexpected card in the mail just to say hello.
An email filled with good news.
An unexpected encounter in a public place.
A kind word or gesture can make all the difference in someone's world.
I try to make the effort to bring unexpected joy to my favorites. But sometimes life just gets in the way.
For some reason, my attitude was a little poor for the last year. I had a lot on my mind. Not an excuse, but sort of an excuse.
And now, as Em would say, I have brain space to spare.
I can be more patient with other airline travelers.
I can smile at the passerbys.
I do these things without thinking much of it. But as it's been happening more and more I realize how much of it I did not do this past year.
Especially on a day like today.
I popped into the grocery store on the way back from the post office and was trying to be efficient, but spotted an older woman who looked like she was struggling with her purchases. As I walked in from the parking lot I saw five people pass her and she still struggled. As I got closer, I just asked her if she needed help. She started to cry. She did need help. And simple help. She just needed someone to help her carry her storage boxes to her car (which was in a hadicapped space just across the driveway, btw). She had a Cadillac walker (I don't know what they're really called, but that's what my dad called my grandmas. The cadillac- a walker that you can sit on.) and had balaned the purchased storage bins on the seat section and thought she could just make it the 50 steps to the car. It didn't work out.
It took me less than 2 minutes to walk her boxes to the car and put them in the trunk. It took me, with my funky bones and constant limp, less than 2 minutes to help her. It was no big deal to me. But it was to her.
She told me she had been standing there for 5 minutes trying to figure out how to manuever and I was the only one who looked at her and made eye contact and then actaully offered to help.
The boxes were for boxing up her recently deseased husband's belongings. She is moving out of their home and into a place closer to her children in Oregon. She was teary just talking about it. To be honest, I got a little choked up too (who wouldn't?). She tried to pay me (ridiculous) and then just gave me a hug. I made sure she was set and went on my way.
I grabbed my groceries and still made it home in plenty of time to have lunch (write a blog post), and be early for the next conference call of the day.
All of this was to simply share a reminder to take a minute to be kind. To help a friend, neighbor, or a stranger. It could be the most important thing you do all day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)