Spread Something That Can’t Be Taxed But Makes a Difference
I Doom Scroll, there I confessed. I sit and waste time on my phone but to be honest, even my own mother does it (if I’m approaching 60, you can take a stab at her age.) Sometimes my husband and I will spend 20 minutes deciding on what to watch together and I will look over to see him doom scrolling after discussing at length what he doesn’t want to see. The point is that I have seen a lot of different posts about 2 sides where people are arguing about who is in the right. HOA’s demanding compliance, vendors displaying the wrong type of merchandise, promoters people in the wrong places, orders being shipped wrong, accidental breakage, children being unruly, scheduling mistakes…… arguments happening because of the stress of daily life is taking away our sense of proportion. Let’s just take a step back a moment and breathe.
Because of my age, I have had more blood drawn in the last 2 years than in the first 40 of my life. There isn’t anything seriously wrong with me, I’m just making sure I’ll be able to extend my warranty. The last draw, I was called by the lab; “Can you come back in? The phlebotomist didn’t draw enough for the tests.” The caller was a bit cautious with her tone, not quite pleading but definitely on the side of entreaty. I assured them that I would be in if not that day, the following morning. Mistakes get made, I said and as long as my insurance wasn’t charged again; there wouldn’t be an issue on my part. Not to worry. The other end of the phone line seemed to be placated and rang off with relief. It wasn’t hard to be nice, it cost me nothing and to be honest; it is an easy request to fulfill.
One Facebook post I read recently talked about how one vendor posted a bad review about their next door neighbor after a bad show. It wasn’t that they had purchased anything from them, only that during tear down something was broken. Here is the kicker; the person who broke the things, paid for the replacements and then posted the complaint. The person who was complained about was asking what they should do about it. There had been tension between the two of them all weekend and I understand, you don’t get to pick your neighbors at a show. Here is the thing, you don’t have to like who is next to you but you can make a choice to be nice to each other. If everyone made an active choice to be nice, and worked to get along; things do go more smoothly.
Being nice doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t cost you anything but perhaps a bit of time. Sometimes it has nothing to do with interacting with someone else. You can do something simple: return a shopping cart that you found in the middle of a parking lot to a cart cage. Pick up a piece of trash and throw it away, that makes the neighborhood you are standing in a bit better. I waited with a lady one day, just to help her lift a heavy shopping bag into her car (Ok, so that was human interaction). Right now, we need to be watching out for our surroundings. Not only for threat but also for each other. Depression is on the rise because so many of us feel cut off from the world and “unseen” or even “un-noticed”. I say thank you to people who move their carts out of the way as I move down an aisle in the grocery store before I can ask. They noticed me and I want them to know that I saw them and what they did. It is important to me that they know and it is a priority when children or teenagers do it, I take the time to thank them sincerely. Society needs to reinforce behavior that is positive or we will see less of it.
What ever it is that you think to do, no matter how small; it will make a difference. Whether it prevents a ding in a strangers car and gives you extra steps for the day, or makes a 6 year old feel tall, each small thing is important. Remember, you don’t have to like everyone to get along with them. God didn’t demand you like everyone, just love them. Kindness is free, so it is one thing that the government won’t tax.