We pulled up to the window and before anything else, the lady handed us our change. Not all our change, she's not psychic, but she handed us the loose change, the coins. It was this little act that just had me shocked and inspired. It seriously must be silly to read about, but I've never seen this happen before. It was just a fast food place {we were indulging that day with some chicken sandwiches}, but seriously awesome. Afterwards I thought to myself, now here's a person who knows how to get things done, who is efficient for the better of herself, the business, and us. It's a simple act, but one you would have guessed more could do to improve things just ever so slightly. It only takes a second to notice if a person is paying with cash or card. Not only was it more efficient in time, but it was nice, simple, and easy. I can't tell you how bothered I get when people present me with my change in this order: paper then coins. That is frustrating for me. It presents a perfect opportunity to drop the coins. I know this all seems like just little pet peeves and satisfactions, but it really is the little things in life that inspire or lead us to either a moment of breathing or a moment of frustration.
It has me asking the question, what little acts am I doing that can help out more than myself? What ways am I helping others frustrate less. I beg you to ask yourself the same thing and share!
It has me asking the question, what little acts am I doing that can help out more than myself? What ways am I helping others frustrate less. I beg you to ask yourself the same thing and share!
Here's what I came up with. Earlier in that same day we were waiting at a pharmacy for what seemed like forever, sad thing is it wasn't even a pill or something they had to literally "fill", it was just something already packaged that they could just put in a bag. I knew it was busy and though I was sent away to come back at an even later time, twice, I figured if I was frustrated at them it really wouldn't have them working any faster or get me any farther in my day's duties. So, I took a deep breath on my third time through the line and eventually when I approached the counter {again} I smiled. It was really that simple. I smiled and I could visually see the release of tension on the lady's face. It was a smoother transaction for both of us. No one ever wants to hear it, but taking a deep breath and even smiling actually helps. The deep breathing forces activation of our parasympathetic nervous system, which helps balance the changes our sympathetic nervous system can influence when we're emotionally stressed {heart rate, rapid/shallow breathing, perspiration, blood pressure, tense muscles, etc...}. Not to fill you will psycho-babble, but basically what I'm saying is there's reason behind all that "take a deep breath" crap. It helps.
That's my story, I'd love to hear yours! Have you experienced something little that made a big difference in a moment? Or have you done something to try and ease the daily-doings of someone else?
That's my story, I'd love to hear yours! Have you experienced something little that made a big difference in a moment? Or have you done something to try and ease the daily-doings of someone else?