GETTING & GIVING SMILES

It came to me in a recent day dream that even our votes, sermons, political contributions, and second amendment rights may not change a world imploding with madness and misery. Therefore, I dreamt a little vision to make my world a little nicer place.

Now, at the conclusion of a business transaction or passing conversation with a stranger I smile, thank them, and use their name. Thanking Howard, Edith, Jose, or Mohammad for my 7-11, retail, fast food, haircut or liquor store purchase has solicited giggles, grunts, but mostly smiles. A very wise person once said that the sweetest sound is hearing someone say your name. It's true. Most clerks, government employees, and business people wear simple name badges or fancy lanyards bearing their name and job title. In my unscientific testing, using a strangers name once or twice seems to cause good eye contact and percolate a warm smile.

Too often in our day to day rush we may consider clerks as human extensions to a cash register. We may consider them our temporary servants unworthy of simple courtesies. I know from astonished and bemused looks that many clerks are surprised to hear their name mentioned in greetings or thank yous.

In my opinion, its a nice and decent thing to do. Using someones name may not end all the problems of our society and world, but its a small way to try. To get a smile, give a smile and name names !

                          AFTER & BEFORE A "HELLO CHARLIE" GREETING !                                  

   

  

GIFT A MILITARY MEMBER, EMT, FIREMAN OR COP

Traditionally we gift those we consider our lovers, special friends or beloved kinfolk. This is A SIGN OF friendship marked by gifts and cards. I suggest in addition to the regular people we honor we consider a new practice directed at total strangers.

At your local restaurant, grocer, or retail store consider gifting the purchase for a uniformed military member or cop next in line or nearby. Do it quietly while thanking them for their loyalty and service.
In addition to their pleasant surprise, your simple gesture may give you a joyful moment well beyond the value of the things you gift.

We have thousands of military personnel and police in the Tidewater Area (Hampton Roads, Virginia) and if a small percentage of folks would extend small kindnesses what a special statement we could make. Many of our military neighbors and cops are young people far from home and friends. None are ever paid enough for their 24/7 commitment and your modest gift and kindness will represent a small and unexpected surprise.

Occasionally, random acts of generosity or thanks to an individual or group are reported by the media. Wouldn't it be wonderful if a shower of small anonymous events swept the area with little or no publicity. Perhaps Hampton Roads could trigger a nationwide flood of simple kind acts for our military citizens.

Just do it, and consider making it a weekly or monthly habit !