Awareness + Action = Attitude Adjustment
Can one person make any difference?
Oh my, yes! I was at the grocery store — in my usual hot hurry — shocking, I know. Mr. Forever was waiting for me in the car, and I just wanted to quick run in because all I needed was one lime for dinner that night.
I got in the store and thought … WHO had let all these people loose in here?!
Lime in hand, I scoured the lanes for a quick checkout, but the grocery store was SO crowded, my best option was behind a lady with a cart full of enough groceries to feed an army.
Move it, move it
In my head, I was silently singing You’ve got to move it move it – the little song from the cartoon movie Madagascar – which if you haven’t seen, is adorable.
Anyway, the lady with the cart full of groceries miraculously looked up from her phone and turns to greet me. (Remember when saying hello to strangers was normal?)
Anyway, instead of initiating a conversation about the price of beans or the weather, she says,“Oh honey, you go right on ahead of me.”
Are those angels singing?
My jaw dropped. Thanking her profusely, I edged around her cart, and was through the check out before she even got her stuff unloaded.
Alleluia! Heaven had seen my plight and sent help. I might have even heard angels singing. What a joyous moment.
One act of kindness
That one kind gesture made my day. Her choice made all the difference in my experience. I shudder to think what my attitude might have been if she’d not let be go ahead of her.
Ugh! Ugly, that’s what!
What could have been a lousy, frustrating experience was salvaged by a single act of kindness.
Choose to influence.
Each one of us has multiple opportunities every day to shift the circumstances from ugly to exceptional; from frustrating to fabulous; from miserable to marvelous.
As the grateful recipient of a random act of kindness, you can be sure I’m on the look out to pay it forward. I want many others to feel that shift, and maybe even hear the angels singing over their day.
How about you? Will you join me to be on the lookout for ways to be kind? To make someone’s day? How can you make a difference in somebody else’s life in a POSITIVE way today?
Bible Verse: Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. – Psalm 106:1
Prayer: Lord, you always show me kindness. Remind me to look up and look around and be the one who demonstrates who you are to us. In Jesus name amen
I love that it happens and you can make it happen I will be watching out where I too can make a difference love you and have a blessed day
Hey Betty, I appreciate your comment and company doing kindness.
Thank you for sharing. I have been on both ends of that situation. I love seeing the expression on faces (of people holding 1 lime) when I say “You go ahead of me”. And honestly, it’s just logical to let the lime person check out first.
It was not a grocery store but at another business where I sincerely told the young man who was helping me that I liked his arm tattoo. I briefly said what I liked about it. He was surprised that a gray-haired old lady would LIKE his tattoo. Of course he thanked me. Not sure who felt better : him because an old lady (with no tattoos) made him feel beautiful or me, who enjoyed complimenting him and inwardly giggled at his reaction.
When I’m in a grocery store line I turn around & look behind me to see if there is someone w/ a few items that I can let go before me. My hope is they feel blessed. They are always thankful.
Way to make a difference, Marilyn!
I’m glad to hear that Marilyn. Small gestures of kindness represent Jesus!
I just love this story, thanks for posting Elaine. We can make a big difference with a very small effort. Well done.
I had a situation where the lady in front of me let me go ahead of her with my one item. I also had a situation where the one in front of me didn’t let me in. I prayed that God would help her with whatever pressure she faced that she didn’t notice the difference between her cart and my one item. She was also in the express line that said “12 items or less.” She had far more than 12 items. I also laughed because maybe her math was worse than mine.
Bahahaha, I’m glad you found the humor and didn’t calculate her demise for slowing you down.
I have met you at the Speak Up Conference over the years but have not talked to you about your speaking program. I would like to do that now, when you are available.
Debra Moerke
Hi Debra, I’m thrilled to hear from you and will email you shortly.