Sometimes in our rush to get things done, the small courtesies can get lost. As we go about our day, it's good to remember that these niceties help cushion our lives, making the journey softer and more pleasant, not only for ourselves, but for others as well. Courtesies like returning phone calls, acknowledging e-mails, arriving on time for meetings, putting your grocery cart back in the right place, or smiling at people instead of staring past them.
As Nancy Lindemeyer, former editor of Victoria magazine once said, "Nice matters." It all adds up to living our lives more beautifully. And sometimes I need a reminder.
Gracefully yours,
Brenda
xox
So I have to put my cart back in the right place? Every time? Oh, I don't know... sometimes that's harder than it sounds! :-D
ReplyDeleteyep, it's called kindness and love and especially to those we don't know. saying hi to the stranger at church is an important one.
ReplyDeleteToo funny, Barb. Believe me, sometimes I've been sorely tempted to leave it wherever (like so many others do), but then I remember I want to leave a little 'heaven' behind as I go. That usually motivates me.
ReplyDeleteLin, your comment about saying hi at church is good. I've been working on that myself, looking for those who seem new and not quite comfy.
I had it drummed into me at a VERY early age that I was to return the grocery carts to the appropriate resting place. So I do... I don't always like doing it, but I do it. The sweet part is that it often brings a flash of memory of my mom. That's my reward.
ReplyDeleteI like smiling at strangers and asking questions of almost everyone I meet. It's amazing how many people will respond with some pretty personal information. We all need someone to listen to us more often, I suppose.
I ALWAYS need a reminder to be more courteous and prompt at answering e-mails (I only check it every few days) and returning phone calls... I am so SICK of the phone after a day of doing real estate related calling. So, I appreciate the reminder. It's good to remember that those who called me are in need of my attention for one reason or another and it's selfish not to give it to them in a timely manner.
This was good for me. You quite often are!