I always find a way to whine about not having time in whatever I do. If I'm having a conversation, there's always an "I never have time to sleep" line. If I'm writing, there's usually a "this has been a hectic week" comment; that I positioned strategically just so it's not too obvious that I'm whining (or maybe I have the illusion that it isn't. Shame on me).But the thing is, even though when my play time (parties, BBQs, Time to Relax, etc) is limited, that doesn't mean that I don't have time to:
- smile to the cashier at the store.
- greet when I walk into a room.
- hold the door open for the person that is coming behind me.
- offer my assistance to those who claim that they need help with their schoolwork.
- make small chat on a line (cafeteria, bookstore, etc).
- give way to the car that's trying to get on my lane.
- And more. . .
I know we're all busy but I can assure you, that the things above take less than a minute and you can make A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN A PERSON'S LIFE.
Maybe the cashier at the store is losing faith on people because every customer he/she had to take care of that morning were rude, and here you come with a smile- perhaps the cashier will get some joy out of your kindness. Or maybe the guy in front of you has been waiting in line for a while and really needs to talk about something that happened to him earlier.These things are really small things but they can always lead to bigger things. See that stranger a few feet away from you? He/she can be your friend with just a smile or a hi. Maybe he/she needs some assurance from you or maybe you will get that from him/her. Or maybe it will just be a nice conversation- but it's only in your hands to make it happen.
The small things you do CAN provide happiness and they cost you nothing- if anything, you'll benefit too. So, will you make time to make a difference today?Photo taken from http://www.martincreed.com/exhibitions/small_things/MC_SmallThings_03A.jpg
I usually do my best to help others out with small things. I love it when people do it in return :)
ReplyDeleteyou know what? thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThank you for throwing this out there because you really never know how much a little smile might mean to someone who has had a really bad day!
ReplyDelete"If you see somebody without a smile, give 'em yours." -Dolly Parton (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a wonderful movie no matter what anybody says!)
Thank you for the reminder. Small thing does make a big difference.
ReplyDeletei feel the exact same way that you do. i work in the customer service industry and i know what it feels like to think that no one cares about you. so i knowing this always try to make a persons day, but smiling , be happy and having a laugh with the waitress or whoever to try and make there day the best time they can. it makes all the difference in the world... i should know :)
ReplyDeleteLizzi: It's always nice when people do that for us too. It makes my day when people are nice.
ReplyDeleteKay & Wan: You're welcome :)
Steph: Nice quote! I never thought about it that way but it makes a lot of sense!
Kendra: Yep, same here. I wonder if that makes a difference- knowing how it feels.