Let me say right from the beginning. I’m a health freak, so, my end-goal wasn’t a free bagel. However, that free bagel represents all that is good and nice and, well RIGHT WITH THE FREAKING WORLD!
It has been a great week for me, my second grandson was born and I’ve been here to help out my daughter. To make matters even better, they live in Arizona! Blue skies and one day of rain vs. my husband back in Pennsylvania telling me, “Baby it’s cold outside!” Here I am, in The Valley of the Sun wearing a tee-shirt! Karen is definitely in her happy place. I’m also having fun making my mother a memory teddy bear from the material of her mother’s winter coat. Life is good!
On Friday afternoon I scampered about town looking for eyes for the teddy bear. Evidently, people don’t sew much anymore so the demand for beautiful teddy bear eyes is minimal. Therefore, after searching at least three stores for a needle in a haystack . . . I was ready to buy a teddy bear and cut it’s eyes out, but that just seems cruel, so I got creative, went to JoAnne Fabrics and found some buttons and beads to try out on Mr. Teddy. Smiling I went to check out, unfortunately though, Tis the Season (of giving and joy?).
There was a line to check out of least 30 people that stretched across the entire front of the store. Everyone seemed to take it in stride and it was a very pleasant experience . . . until . . . it was my turn to go to the register. I walked up with a big smile on my face and in a lowered tone, the checker glared at me and spoke with that voice your mother used when she was really pissed off at you, but didn’t want to yell, but she just “used that tone”. Yeah, I was terrified! Evidently, there was some rule that she had to say a magic word when she was fully prepared to accept the next person. No, there wasn’t a sign that said, “Wait for someone to yell at you before you come forward.” Or even, “Beware of teller #6, she’s a bitch.” or “Happy freaking holidays, we are tired!” or “Get the hell out of this store! I only make minimum wage and didn’t sign up for this!” I meekly returned to the line . . .
THEN I was (very politely) called by the next available teller and as I placed my things on the counter, I said, “Thank you for not yelling at me.” That was it, I got it out of my system, well yeah, in the short conversation I also said, “No wonder people choose to shop online at Amazon!” No, I wouldn’t tell her (I think the manager) which teller was rude to me. Because I’m a really nice person in my happy place who just found the perfect teddy bear eyes & I’m going home to love on my grandbabies. No need to rat-out some woman who probably dealt with a really bitchy customer right before I came to her smiling. But her attitude to me was uncalled for and rude as can be.
Did I tell you I was a health freak? Nonetheless, I had two bagels at Panera Bread on my shopping list. (Come on, I just had my second grandbaby, my hormones are all out of whack!) Two young people were at the counter and they smiled at me and said, “Hi!” as I approached them, so I said, “Hey! Thanks for not yelling at me for coming up to your counter!” We had a short conversation about “Tis the season”. Then the young man and I continued with a friendly banter as he rang up my order and got my bagels. As he handed me the paper bag, he said, “I threw in an extra bagel, just because “. So I took my bag full of empty calories and smiled all the way home. I’m smiling about it now. Why? BECAUSE HE WAS NICE!
It has nothing to do with a free bagel.
It has to do with KINDNESS.
OK dear reader, at least here in America, during the (dare I say Christmas Season) people can be really impatient, stressed and sometimes down-right nasty. This has always confused me. I mean, if you’re CELEBRATING Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or a December birthday or even the winter solstice, or some other event that leads to family dinners and gift-giving, isn’t this reason to celebrate, be nice, be joyful and be extra human to fellow humans?
Well yeah, I know . . . This time of year represents high and holy days for many believers. Even if you don’t consider one of these holidays from a religious perspective, and even though your mother in law is a bitch after preparing a meal for you and 35 other people in a three bedroom rancher. Even though Uncle Bill is an obnoxious drunk and Susie is still holding a grudge . . . You go, you love your family, you put up with the craziness every year and come home with a gift you don’t like, it is Tradition. There is something special and wonderful and joyous going on. However, for some reason, this year the stress seems higher than usual all around. You see it on Social Media, people picking “issues” and then to choosing to become a victim of that issue. You see it on the news as the media seems to enhance arguments and issues. It is unhealthy, and frankly scares the shit out of me more than the teller at JoAnne’s Fabric Store!
OK, so I have a challenge. Be nice 10 times to people in some way everyday for the next 30 days. I know, that comes natural for you, me too, but if we do it purposefully and with intent, who knows, we just might change the world. In addition, challenge three other people to do the same. You can even have fun explaining:
I read this blog where this woman is bitching about how awful people can be to each other in the most wonderful season of joy and giving . . . but really, she’s not a bitch (well, sometimes that’s debatable, she is from New Jersey originally and is proud of it). Anyway, she gave a challenge to be NICE or do something NICE for the next 30 days and invite three others to do the same. Want to join me in changing the world?
I HATE MATH, BUT—-
YOU 10 X 30 = 300 smiles
x 3 invites = 900 smiles
x 3 their invites Something like thousands upon thousands of smiles
EQUALS exponential KINDNESS!
Being nice doesn’t cost a damn thing. It’s not about a free bagel! And –Merry Christmas! OK, yeah, so I know there are other holidays included in December, but what I mean is Merry Christmas if you celebrate Christmas, Happy whatever other holiday you personally celebrate and yes, to the atheist looking forward to family tradition—- I hope your mother in law is nice this year!
Enjoying the Adventure!
Dr. Dink
#BENICECHALLENGE
downtoearthpositive 