Thursday, December 12, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Girl's Camp
I participated in a week-long youth Girl's Camp for girls age 12-16 in June. What an amazing experience. The thing about the program is that it is completely volunteer work. None of us are paid to take a week off work or a week off from our families in order to ensure that the girls have an amazing experience being out in nature and getting away from the world.
I was so uplifted by the amazing leaders and girls around me, and how they served each other to make camp an uplifting experience for everyone.
I was so uplifted by the amazing leaders and girls around me, and how they served each other to make camp an uplifting experience for everyone.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Customers "Pay it Forward" for Three Hours
I love this article featured in KSL News about the generous customers at Tim Horton's, in Winnipeg, Canada, who paid for the meal behind them in the drive-through line, for three hours straight.
Although this article calls the place a coffee shop, I just know it as a popular donut shop that is all over Canada. I am not even much of a donut fan, but even I have had a donut at Horton's while visiting Canada.
At 10 a.m. on December 21, a customer paid for the order behind them. The next customer then did the same thing for the customer behind them. This happened for three hours straight - with each customer paying for the order behind them, since their order had already been paid.
The neat thing about this article is that this is a popular trend at the donut shop, and has happened in other locations. In addition, I love that it talks about the energy level in the shop - it was exciting for the employees to keep count and see how long that streak of generosity lasted.
Although this article calls the place a coffee shop, I just know it as a popular donut shop that is all over Canada. I am not even much of a donut fan, but even I have had a donut at Horton's while visiting Canada.
At 10 a.m. on December 21, a customer paid for the order behind them. The next customer then did the same thing for the customer behind them. This happened for three hours straight - with each customer paying for the order behind them, since their order had already been paid.
The neat thing about this article is that this is a popular trend at the donut shop, and has happened in other locations. In addition, I love that it talks about the energy level in the shop - it was exciting for the employees to keep count and see how long that streak of generosity lasted.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Can I Help You?
A few Thursdays ago, my husband and I went to an event up at resort. When the event was over, we walked back to our car and opened the doors, then stopped and began chatting, instead of getting in the car and driving away. Apparently, we looked confused or distressed because an SUV with a couple of young guys in it stopped to ask us, "Are you two okay?"
I was impressed that two strangers would take the time to check on us, even though we were not giving off any obvious signs of distress. People are capable of such consideration and kindness! This is definitely not the first time that someone has stopped to check on my welfare when I have been pulled over at the side of the road or in some other way appeared to need help. I appreciate it every time.
I was in a clothing store yesterday, and two employees were checking clothes nearby me. I caught the tail end of their conversation, "Isn't it amazing? It's the smallest things that people do that can really make someone's day."
I was impressed that two strangers would take the time to check on us, even though we were not giving off any obvious signs of distress. People are capable of such consideration and kindness! This is definitely not the first time that someone has stopped to check on my welfare when I have been pulled over at the side of the road or in some other way appeared to need help. I appreciate it every time.
I was in a clothing store yesterday, and two employees were checking clothes nearby me. I caught the tail end of their conversation, "Isn't it amazing? It's the smallest things that people do that can really make someone's day."
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Surprised, He Laughed
The man behind the checkout counter was clearly exhausted. Either that or he hated his job.
He was in his late twenties at the most, yet he moved with the slumped shoulders and the exhausted face of a much older man - of someone who was desperately ready to clock out for the day.
I didn't blame him. Who knows what was going on his personal life, or what kind of day he had experienced at work. He wasn't rude, just clearly ready to be anywhere but behind that counter.
After he took my order, prepared my food, and told me how much I owed - all in the same, exhausted voice, I said dryly, and without much forethought, "You look REALLY happy."
His face creaked into a surprised smile, and a startled chuckle escaped his lips. After that, his slump was gone, and he finished checking me out with a genuine smile on his face. The store closed in five minutes so I like to think I helped him end his workday on a slightly happier note.
I didn't blame him. Who knows what was going on his personal life, or what kind of day he had experienced at work. He wasn't rude, just clearly ready to be anywhere but behind that counter.
After he took my order, prepared my food, and told me how much I owed - all in the same, exhausted voice, I said dryly, and without much forethought, "You look REALLY happy."
His face creaked into a surprised smile, and a startled chuckle escaped his lips. After that, his slump was gone, and he finished checking me out with a genuine smile on his face. The store closed in five minutes so I like to think I helped him end his workday on a slightly happier note.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
With Doors Wide Open
I don't know why people say chivalry is dead. I see it all the time.
In fact, I take it for granted so much that I still chuckle over an experience I had a month ago when it didn't happen.
I was struggling with a large pile of library books (a full book bag, plus a stack in my arms), planning how I was going to use my back to shove the door open and then make a quick spin to get out before the door shut on me or my books. However, as I walked toward the glass library doors, I saw a twelve-year-old boy approaching from outside, and thought with relief that he could save me the trouble. Instead, the boy visibly slowed down his steps enough to ensure that I, the "lady," arms full of books, would open the door for him! I was stunned. And yes, I opened one of two doors for him, balancing books in my arm, and using my foot and back, while the boy stood there, empty-handed, and waited.
Now, to be fair, the boy was only 12 but I know a lot of boys that have been taught to be courteous. I only bring this story up to emphasize the contrast too - that the people around me are so considerate about opening doors for each other that I'm shocked when it doesn't happen. A couple days ago, a girl who looked to about 11, waited an extra 20 seconds for me to catch up to her, while she held the door open. I actually had to go up a flight of stairs while she waited for me at the top. Wow - maybe a little too considerate?
My favorite one - a couple of months ago, a guy I didn't know walked out of my office building, saw me coming with my pile (my purse, a laptop bag, and a tray full of food) and actually ran back 15 steps to hold the door open for me.
I sometimes feel like someone is so far behind me that it is pointless to wait for them to open the door but then I remember how often someone does it for me, and I wait those extra seconds. It only take a few seconds out of your life to do something that is really quite nice and can add an extra smile to someone's day. I can't tell you how many grateful mothers with unwieldy strollers have smiled gratefully at me for a favor that cost me very little to provide - and all because I too, have been the recipient of the small and simple good deed.
In fact, I take it for granted so much that I still chuckle over an experience I had a month ago when it didn't happen.
I was struggling with a large pile of library books (a full book bag, plus a stack in my arms), planning how I was going to use my back to shove the door open and then make a quick spin to get out before the door shut on me or my books. However, as I walked toward the glass library doors, I saw a twelve-year-old boy approaching from outside, and thought with relief that he could save me the trouble. Instead, the boy visibly slowed down his steps enough to ensure that I, the "lady," arms full of books, would open the door for him! I was stunned. And yes, I opened one of two doors for him, balancing books in my arm, and using my foot and back, while the boy stood there, empty-handed, and waited.
Now, to be fair, the boy was only 12 but I know a lot of boys that have been taught to be courteous. I only bring this story up to emphasize the contrast too - that the people around me are so considerate about opening doors for each other that I'm shocked when it doesn't happen. A couple days ago, a girl who looked to about 11, waited an extra 20 seconds for me to catch up to her, while she held the door open. I actually had to go up a flight of stairs while she waited for me at the top. Wow - maybe a little too considerate?
My favorite one - a couple of months ago, a guy I didn't know walked out of my office building, saw me coming with my pile (my purse, a laptop bag, and a tray full of food) and actually ran back 15 steps to hold the door open for me.
I sometimes feel like someone is so far behind me that it is pointless to wait for them to open the door but then I remember how often someone does it for me, and I wait those extra seconds. It only take a few seconds out of your life to do something that is really quite nice and can add an extra smile to someone's day. I can't tell you how many grateful mothers with unwieldy strollers have smiled gratefully at me for a favor that cost me very little to provide - and all because I too, have been the recipient of the small and simple good deed.
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