Sometimes I need a life lesson review (kind of like an end-of-unit review in school), and this week God gave me one!
This past Wednesday was a beautiful spring day here in the Northeast. The sky was a bright blue with few clouds, and the sun was shining brightly. I decided to get outside and run some errands including shopping for new sneakers. Now, I’m not a shopper, and I don’t like malls. Thankfully, our area still has a few specialty shops left as I prefer small stores with great service. The shoe store I patronize is one of those stores; the customer service is always impeccable, and they still measure your feet!
But this day was different. As I entered the store, there was a big sign that read “sign in here,” so I proceeded to sign in. However, the salesperson in a not-so-nice tone confusingly reprimanded me for signing in. I could feel my attitude changing with her tone, and it wasn’t a nice change. As I walked toward the back of the store, she was on my heels. (A pet-peeve of mine is when a sales clerk starts following me around, asking me how they can help and what I’m looking for before I’m barely in the store. I know they’re just doing their job, but it makes me feel immediately put on the spot before I’ve had a chance to browse.)
I had a choice to make: leave the store or ignore her. At that moment, God said, “No, you change your attitude.” I silently responded, “Ok.” Truthfully, I have no idea what she was going through or had possibly encountered with other customers before I walked into the store. It was up to me to change because she didn’t seem in the mood to change. Really, my task was simple: just be kind. I relaxed and let her follow me. As I started asking questions about the merchandise and complimenting her on the shoes she was wearing, she started to soften and change.
Of course my first reaction in my internal dialogue with God was, “Why do I have to change my attitude?!” His answer: because you can. And since I did change my attitude and didn’t follow through with a negative tone, I think I helped the salesperson to also have a better day. Lesson learned: if I wanted a pleasant shopping experience, then it was up to me to create it. I can’t control how others will act or respond, but I can control how I will. Also, kindness makes things better. I love these kinds of simple reminders and teachable moments! It would’ve been so easy to let her spoil my shopping trip and for me to add to her already bad day, but I chose differently. I left with my new sneakers, and she was smiling, reminding me to come back again soon. Our attitudes and energy are so powerful and ripple out to those around us.
How about you? Have you had experiences where your attitude changed another person or situation?
Yes! What you all said. Sometimes it’s so hard to change the reaction. I guess that is why we should be slow to anger wait to respond and get composure. Some things only do come with age! 🤩😉 Thank you for the reminder Marie.
You are so right slow to anger. Not always easy.
It’s so true, how we react to someone behavior and attitude that something’s, right?! Makes all the difference
Yes, our attitude makes a difference.
Thank you Marie
I try to smile and show kindness at work to my customers.
You are right when you said,you never know what someone is going through.
Yes, you bring sunshine to your customers. You are compassionate, kind and caring person.
I’m very grateful for this reminder.
Thank you. It was a good reminder for me.
Thank you for sharing your experience that changed this women’s attitude; just goes to show how a little kindness goes a long way.😊🙏❤
Yes, kindness does go a long way. I’m happy I changed my attitude.
Amen, we are the light in the darkness, we need to be mindful of others.
Maybe just being kind to someone else will change their day.
I agree with you. The experience taught me I always gave to aware of my attitude.
Thank you Marie, for this beautiful testimony. We sometimes want to treat others as they treat us. We don’t always think about what they are going through. We have to choose our attitude in every situation. Thank you for the encouraging words! 💜
You’re welcome.
It was a good review lesson for me. Always be aware of my attitude.
Love, love, Love this! Thank you for reminding me that my happiness is mine to create. 😊💕😊
Thank you for your encouraging words. Sometimes we don’t realize how quickly we can change our surroundings with our thoughts.