This post has been inspired by a series of incidents that have impacted my life this week- some positive and some negative.
“Be the change you want to see in the world”, Ghandi.
Last week my husband was hit by a car. Her comment to him was, “you want me to slow down and get in behind you?” Husband, YES, I am going 3o m.p.h.!?!?! {He is fine, btw}. Then, while attempting to unload groceries while holding my cranky 3 year old and attempting to keep the cart from rolling away…a couple deliberately walked around my chaos to force their way out of their parking spot in a car while my cart is rolling into their car. Why they couldn’t have waited 30 seconds for me to get my kid in the car, I will never know.
So what’s my point? It’s time to step out of our own little cells of life and be in the world, not just at the store. The people who were the kindest to me this week are the ones I will choose to remember- whether it’s a waiter or a bike racer or coffee shop employee…whoever it is that is kind to you, remember that. I always comment to my husband on “gee, how nice that guy was to me..or whatever” those are the ones who make the lasting impression.
What can you do?
Pay attention to what is happening around you and offer a hand. Be that person who helps the mom to her car. Be that person who holds doors open. Be that person with a huge cart and let the person with one item go first. Be the one who offers a beer to a single neighbor in a campsite. Be the person who steps forwards and helps – just a little. Make someone’s day.
You will feel 100% better.
9 responses so far ↓
1 christy // Aug 31, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I try to be that person every day – it makes such a BIG difference in the world around you. Great post. Sorry about the jerks, and glad your husband is okay!
.-= christy´s last blog ..Birthday weekend =-.
2 Shannon // Aug 31, 2009 at 12:40 pm
glad hubby is ok! people baffle me sometimes, but sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in things. serves as a good reminder
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Crystal Lake Triathlon 2009 =-.
3 Andrea@WellnessNotes // Aug 31, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Great reminder!
.-= Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last blog ..Eat Your Vegetables =-.
4 Angie (Losing It and Loving It) // Aug 31, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Always try my best to be helpful to people. Recently I helped someone carry heavy bags from Trader Joe’s outside to their car and I also always offer to return someone’s cart to the bin in a parking lot if I’m going that way.
Just this past week we had to put down our dog and the outpouring of hugs, notes, etc. from both offline and online friends was amazing. I’m so thankful!
Make someone’s day, they will appreciate it.
.-= Angie (Losing It and Loving It)´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday: August 31 =-.
5 mamalikeyou // Aug 31, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I am behind you 100%. It’s part of why coming back to Jersey is so painful after spending long visits in Portland. There is a sense of humanity and community that is so missing here. I am renewed and committed to bringing a piece of that with me.
Thanks for the reminder. I knew I liked you for many reasons!
.-= mamalikeyou´s last blog ..1/3 of a cherry =-.
6 Fitarella // Sep 1, 2009 at 2:31 pm
YES YES YES! beautiful post Rach. Thank you for inspiring us to be the change we want to see
.-= Fitarella´s last blog ..Meet My Coach! =-.
7 workout mommy // Sep 1, 2009 at 6:19 pm
oh, I so agree! Some people these days are just blatantly RUDE and I just don’t understand why they feel entitled to be that way? It’s takes so little to make someone else’s day, why can’t we all just make that effort?!
Thanks for the reminder and I’m glad your hubby is ok!
.-= workout mommy´s last blog ..Back to school time means back to fitness! =-.
8 RunToTheFinish // Sep 2, 2009 at 12:58 am
Amen! I try to do little things like just be patient in line, be nice to the clerk who just rang up 80 people, hold a door…it’s not big but it matters
.-= RunToTheFinish´s last blog ..Summary in pictures =-.
9 Stephanie // Sep 2, 2009 at 5:10 am
Thanks for the inspiration. Spreading kindness and “sunshine” around is so very important.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..7 Reasons We Don’t Spank =-.
Leave a Comment