June 30th – A Little Pride
“Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.” - Unknown
Yesterday at lunch I was watching Craig, the busboy at the downtown Pappa’s BBQ, fill the salt and pepper shakers. He was very meticulous about how he was doing his job. He had his cart in the same place by each table. After he filled each one, he checked the levels to make sure they were all the same then he made sure they were all in the same location on each table. He was conscious about doing his job the right way. He was showing a little pride in his work.
I recall the first time I said hi to Craig, and he was taken aback as you could see he was not used to people talking to him. The uncomfortably was obvious in his posture as he kept his head and shoulders down. Some months later, that has changed. Every time I go in now, I make sure to say hi to him and engage him in a little conversation. He actually smiles now when he sees me come in. A month or so ago, he even talked to Teri and I for a while as he was cleaning off our table. And yes he is just as diligent when cleaning a table as he is when he filling the salt and pepper shakers. I do thank him every time he cleans up the table. You can see the difference it makes just to have someone acknowledge him.
You can tell that Craig appreciates having a job as he does the best he can and takes pride in it. He does not give off the air that he is “owed” a job or that he is just doing his time to get a paycheck. It’s refreshing that in this age of “entitlement” by the teens and “20-something’s” that there are still people out there that have a little pride.
From everything I’ve read, it is originally inherent in all human beings to want to do the right thing, but sometimes we get sidetracked or take a wrong turn. Being the eternal optimist, I believe through positive thinking and reinforcement, that we can bring the pride back. As I say often, one little smile or kind word can change someone’s life in ways you can’t even imagine. Inspiration is all around us. As I mentioned yesterday, everyone brings something to the table even though they may not always see it.
One of the best way’s I’ve see it put is as follows:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
Action Item – Look for an opportunity to acknowledge someone’s contribution to the positive things in the world. They may not see the importance but you will.
POSITIVE HEADLINE NEWS
Fun Times
Richard and Robin are heading out tomorrow for a little “playcation” in East Texas. Y’all have fun ya hear.
One of Teri’s long time girlfriends from Dallas is coming in for the long weekend. It’s time for a little reconnecting. Y’all have a great time girls.
Influence
Pam sent me an email yesterday about a stranger on the bus sitting down next to her then out of the blue asking for some advice on teens for an article she was writing. The stranger “felt” she could ask Pam. There is that positive energy going out again.
The Test
Laura’s Bberry broke over the weekend. There was all sorts of drama and runaround while trying to get a replacement. Through it all, she maintained her cool even in the face of opportunity to lose it. She kept smiling and passed the patience test with flying colors. Funny how that positive thinking works isn’t it.
“Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.” - Unknown
Yesterday at lunch I was watching Craig, the busboy at the downtown Pappa’s BBQ, fill the salt and pepper shakers. He was very meticulous about how he was doing his job. He had his cart in the same place by each table. After he filled each one, he checked the levels to make sure they were all the same then he made sure they were all in the same location on each table. He was conscious about doing his job the right way. He was showing a little pride in his work.
I recall the first time I said hi to Craig, and he was taken aback as you could see he was not used to people talking to him. The uncomfortably was obvious in his posture as he kept his head and shoulders down. Some months later, that has changed. Every time I go in now, I make sure to say hi to him and engage him in a little conversation. He actually smiles now when he sees me come in. A month or so ago, he even talked to Teri and I for a while as he was cleaning off our table. And yes he is just as diligent when cleaning a table as he is when he filling the salt and pepper shakers. I do thank him every time he cleans up the table. You can see the difference it makes just to have someone acknowledge him.
You can tell that Craig appreciates having a job as he does the best he can and takes pride in it. He does not give off the air that he is “owed” a job or that he is just doing his time to get a paycheck. It’s refreshing that in this age of “entitlement” by the teens and “20-something’s” that there are still people out there that have a little pride.
From everything I’ve read, it is originally inherent in all human beings to want to do the right thing, but sometimes we get sidetracked or take a wrong turn. Being the eternal optimist, I believe through positive thinking and reinforcement, that we can bring the pride back. As I say often, one little smile or kind word can change someone’s life in ways you can’t even imagine. Inspiration is all around us. As I mentioned yesterday, everyone brings something to the table even though they may not always see it.
One of the best way’s I’ve see it put is as follows:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
Action Item – Look for an opportunity to acknowledge someone’s contribution to the positive things in the world. They may not see the importance but you will.
POSITIVE HEADLINE NEWS
Fun Times
Richard and Robin are heading out tomorrow for a little “playcation” in East Texas. Y’all have fun ya hear.
One of Teri’s long time girlfriends from Dallas is coming in for the long weekend. It’s time for a little reconnecting. Y’all have a great time girls.
Influence
Pam sent me an email yesterday about a stranger on the bus sitting down next to her then out of the blue asking for some advice on teens for an article she was writing. The stranger “felt” she could ask Pam. There is that positive energy going out again.
The Test
Laura’s Bberry broke over the weekend. There was all sorts of drama and runaround while trying to get a replacement. Through it all, she maintained her cool even in the face of opportunity to lose it. She kept smiling and passed the patience test with flying colors. Funny how that positive thinking works isn’t it.
