In the immortal words of Tammy Wynette, “Sometimes it’s hard being a woman.” and by gum it’s true. If we’re not waxing, shaving, plucking, painting, polishing, moisturizing, exfoliating, injecting, suctioning, lifting, separating or hydrodermabrasing one damn thing or another we’re either being held captive by the type of people who think Burning Man is a good idea or, more likely, we are dead.
Plus there’s the shoes, the clothes, the job, the family and friends, the pets, the elusive search for “personal fulfillment” and all manner of medications and clinically trained professionals we use just so we don’t lose our everloving minds, buy something best described as “semi-automatic” and take out the entire canned food section of a local Piggly Wiggly.
Life is hard. What we forget, is that life is good.
Your mission this week is to spread the love. You don’t have to fly to Southern Malawi to help build a hospital although that’s certainly one way to do it. No, the mission is much simpler. Say something nice to a coworker you normally don’t talk to. Pay a toll for someone else. Send a “checking in” email with friends you haven’t talked to in a while just to let them know you’re thinking about them.
Try –and this is a tough one for me– to go an entire day without making a joke at someone else’s expense.
Yes, this post is sentimental but what can I say? Beneath my hardened, Scotch-soaked exterior is the gooey nougat center of a person who truly believes people are generally and inherently good.
So spread the love and if you’ve got any ideas to inspire your fellow readers, be sure to leave a comment.
When I feel like spreading the love, I will call an establishment I have recently patronized and ask to speak with the manager. The manager gets on the line, sounding a bit apprehensive, no doubt fearing a complaint. However, I will say something like, “I was in your store/restaurant/whatever this evening, and so-and-so helped me. I just wanted to say how delightful and helpful he/she was. I really enjoyed my dining/shopping/whatever experience. Thank you so much.”
Now the manager is happy, the employee hopefully gets some kudos, and I feel good about having done something nice. Everybody wins!
I’ve also been known to do things such as sending a box of fresh-baked cookies to the guys in the mail room at work to thank them for everything they do to make my job easier.
Comment by Cat — January 14, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
As an employee who occasionally gets those above and beyond kudoes, I thank you. They mean a lot, especially if you are in a generally thankless job.
I have done the toll-paying thing in the past, and it is always great, although it occasionally freaks people out.
The other thing I have done is to pay a small amount towards the next person’s drink in the Starbucks drive through.
And the not making jokes at the expense of other people- that’s one I should probably try. I may have to bite my own tongue, but I will try. I will just make sure it is not on Project Runway night.
Comment by Jenna — January 14, 2008 @ 7:13 pm
I love love love this idea. I am a firm believer in the benefits of being genuinly nice-it tends to truly be a win win situation for all involved. There are a million ways to share the love- offer to pick up coffee or lunch for a coworker who is slammed at work- pick up some litter on the way into work- go to a kid in your life’s school play- send hand written thank you notes- call or write the managers or owners of your favorite establishments and let them know how much their staff means to you- compliment someone on their hair/clothes/smile- hold a door open- give the other person the cab- offer your seat on the subway- let the pregnant woman with the three year old go ahead of you in the bathroom line- surprise your support staff with lunch. Being Nice, spreading the love is contagious.
I am not some freaky PollyAnna type, I just try to treat others as I want to be treated- And when I have had a relly crap day, buying the person across the bar from me a drink as I leave – Everyone is happy.
Comment by Kimks — January 14, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
By Jove! I will try this, Plumcake…but it is tough task indeed when one rides Washington’s OH so delightful Metro every day of the week. But, I will try!
Comment by teteatete — January 14, 2008 @ 11:32 pm
That some very good advice Plumcake! Maybe ill reach out to my sister WHO NEVER CALLS!!! To let her know that I love her and I miss her, and that I am deeply sorry for the loss of a certain pair of shoes that were taken by the mandibals of one slobbery Shar Pei. Just curious were you able make it through the day without making a joke at someone else’s expense? I could only imagine how hard that must have been, especially knowing how deeply that was ingrained in our childhood! LOVE YOU!!!
Comment by "Googly Elmo" — January 15, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my brother. He’s just as cute as I am and twice as sweet.
Comment by Plumcake — January 16, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
I had big computer problems today, got one of those tech guys on the phone to help. It took an hour to fix this problem, he was wonderful, helpful, never once got upset with me, a computer stupido.
After all this I remembered the “spread the love” thing, called the company, said I wanted a supervisor so I could leave a complement.
I was shocked at the response I got, people there were astounded someone would say something good.
Made me realize we don’t say “thanks” for good work, everyone is more than willing to yell about “what was wrong”.
I will now try to do this more often, positive energy is good for the world.
Thanks for putting this thought in my brain.
Comment by patricia don diego — January 16, 2008 @ 9:32 pm