This fall, I was at the Chicago airport very early one morning. Too early for this non-morning person to even be up.
Half asleep, dragging and drooping, I stopped at Chili’s for breakfast.
That’s where I encountered her.
6:00 in the morning, at the airport, in a low-wage job. And this waitress was smiling, joking with her customers, and singing. She amazed me!
She was a bright, shining beam of light for each of us who were privileged to be waited on by her. She brightened my day immensely!
She also reminded me how each of us can make a difference no matter where we are and what we’re doing.
Doing big things to make a difference is wonderful. I’m all for that.
But let’s not forget about the small things. A smile, a hug, a willingness to listen. Small gestures such as these matter to those on the receiving end of them.
How can you easily make a positive difference today in others’ lives?
What experiences have you had with someone’s small gestures making a difference for you? Or you doing something for others? Click on Comments, scroll down, and write away.
Photo Courtesy of Gayle Parker, http://www.flickr.com/photos/gayleparker/3714936781/
I have gotten in the habit of smiling and greeting everyone I see. I may never know what difference that makes in someone else’s life, but I do it anyway. Some people are suspicious of ‘friendly’ strangers; but I still do it. I know that there were times when I was feeling less than happy that a friendly greeting and/or smile made me feel better. We may not always know how what we do or say affects someone else. I think if we treat people how we would want to be treated, we can’t go wrong.
Comment by Ruth — December 12, 2009 @ 8:04 amRuth, it’s true we can’t be sure how we’re affecting others. I just watched that old classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” again this weekend. Maybe the reason that movie lingers 60+ years later is the power of that message that we ARE affecting people, even if/when we don’t realize it.
Comment by Bonnie — December 14, 2009 @ 9:16 pm