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It was another Friday morning and me rushing
to work. Mentally reviewing work to be done, groceries to be
shopped, weekend chores as I parked my car and started walking
towards my office. Fridays sometimes seem to be the worst day of
the week. I have to wrap up loose ends at work, step out of my
work shoes and get into full-time homemaker/ hostess high-heels,
if you get the drift! I stopped at the road crossing, which was
deserted but for a lone golf cart on that Friday morning. The
elderly gentleman on the cart waved me through and I just lifted
my hand in thanks and kept walking along, my mind miles away.
But suddenly I hear a cheery good morning! It was the gentleman
on the cart wishing me. It was not a forced or tired good
morning but one that cheers you up with goodwill. And it brought
a smile to my face, a spring to my step and I started my work
with a smile rather than a frown.
This incident set me thinking. It was such a
small gesture, just a greeting said in the right tone that
cheered up my day and have I ever done it? No! I do the courtesy
greeting with a fake smile on my face and not meaning a word I
say. I have heard hundreds of disgruntled, disinterested
greetings and yes they make me grumpy. It is amazing how much
the right tone and a genuine smile can change your day. These
small courtesies make a sea of difference in not just your life
but the lives of numerous people around you. These small
instances of goodwill spread faster than any office grapevine
and do marvels to your mood.
Think about this, how often has the conductor
in the bus you travel every morning to work scream - at you or
at some other commuter? It might be a petty issue like not
having the right change, you might plug in your ipod, turn your
face to the window, pretend you are deaf but it does affect you.
It does feel depressing to hear loud voices and foul language
thrown around especially in the mornings when you are all set
for work. You do not drag yourself out of bed to enjoy the
shower of rude voices. And that is one thing I like in Houston.
Being a southern city in the US, Houston has
what they call the southern hospitality. It is really rare to
find someone who does’nt greet you - be it at the Metro bus stop
or at the neighbourhood Walmart or just someone who crosses your
path as you jog around the Memorial Park. And yes it does help!
Why don’t you try it? Start your day with a
smile and a cheery greeting for someone and before you know it,
it will come back to you cheering you up when you need it. Small
gestures, small words keep the world a better place for you and
for me! And to that gentleman who made me see the sunny side of
a rather dull Friday morning, thank you and I hope that someone
somewhere cheers your day when you need it just like you did to
mine!
Till the next time, keep smiling and have a
good day ya’ll (said with my best Texas accent! I keep trying…)
- V
http://poohsden.blogspot.com/
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