“America’s Soul… If found, please return to the below address.”

“America’s Soul… If found, please return to the below address.”

I went to the gas station this morning for a couple gallons and politely asked the attendant for… “$10 on pump 5, please.”  She immediately smiled and replied with… “You’re the first person that has said please in a week!”  How is that possible?  Am I that removed from reality to understand that people no longer say “Please” and “Thank you?”  Am I the last living relic, from days gone by, that actually appreciates the assistance of others?  If that in fact is the case, we have reached critical mass.  In order to find the answer, I have to look within myself.  What are my objectives throughout an average day?  How many interactions do I have with the service industry?  What is my mindset when I enter these establishments?  And finally, does anything distract me during said interactions?  Sounds easy right?  Well, not so much.  Heck, I have a hard time figuring out where I am at a given time, let alone how I react in each situation…

The first question is simple enough.  “What are my objectives throughout an average day?”  Just to get through it!  Sprinkle in a little of this and a little of that and viola, it’s 5pm and I’m heading home.  In all seriousness, it consists of meetings (face to face & virtual), travel to and from, lunch (which normally includes whatever I threw in the cooler and can choke down in as little time as possible), quiet time to write and putting out whatever fire sparked during the day.

“How many interactions do I have with the service industry?”  This can vary, but sufficed to say, 100+.  You see, I do not differentiate between industries.  I include every person I see at the gas station, people I park next to, individuals I pass entering buildings, neighbors in their yards, homeless individuals, elderly folks trying to get their groceries in the car and with whomever else I may come in contact.  All interactions are important to me and I attempt to leave every person in a better position after our meeting, than before. 

“What is my mindset when I enter these establishments?”  Most of the time I am trying to get in and out as quickly as possible, which means I hit fast forward.  This escalated pace does not keep me from “stopping to smell the roses."  That means I am always on the lookout for someone in need.  That could mean an individual changing a tire, someone with their hands full trying to back out of a store, someone who just dropped a bag and spilled everything on the concrete, or someone who looks like they’re carrying the weight of the world.

Finally, “Does anything distract me during said interactions?”  Uhhhh, yeah!  Can you say Smart Phone?  Twitter updates, new posts on Instagram, e-mails, texts and phone calls.  The “Legalized Leash” yanks me back into place about every minute and for some reason I dig it.  This causes me to lose focus during everyday interactions and sometimes makes me miss the emergence of synchronicity.  For example; the other day I was in the car and a commercial came on talking about Tabasco sauce.  Just then I passed a street with the same name.  That has to mean something… Right?

To wrap all this up with a pretty little bow, I’ll show you the wisdom of positivity and patience.  Clearly we all lead hectic lives and have our own issues… But that shouldn’t stop us from lending a hand to someone in need, being courteous to a cashier, allowing someone to merge onto a busy highway, holding a door, or even donating time at the local soup kitchen.  I have lived the other way and am here to tell you that my days go much smoother now that I care about every person I meet.  Giving a smile and a pat on the back is a hell of a lot better than growling while laying on the horn.  We were born to work together, for each other.  No derision can be accepted.  Life is tough enough without adding negative vibes.  Be extraordinary today and positively impact everyone you meet!

Todd P Coleman © 

@SenseUncommonLLC.blogspot.com

See my below poem and pic…

Turn the Page

A new year births new hope

The ability to cope and a chance to prosper

Hold your head high and try to change

Rearrange and bend to avoid the norm

“Weather the storm” and take a chance

“Live the dream” and scream from the rooftop

Don’t stop until you’ve succeeded

Positivity is needed

I’m positive it’s amazing

Blazing your own trail gives a sense of pride

It shifts the tide and rolls in your direction

Make the selection and face the grind

The end result is peace of mind

Todd P Coleman © 

@SenseUncommonLLC.blogspot.com

@theosu8 & @howproseisthat (Instagram)

@todd_coleman16 & @howproseisthat (Twitter)