I love good stories and wanted to share three insightful ones that I heard recently. The first story inspired me to be aware of how I touch others with just my attitude and presence. It’s about a clerk…
“I learned to love you today.
You’re miserable and probably one of the rudest people I’ve ever come across.
When I approach you, you turn away and pretend that I am not there, until you’re ready.
I have tried a thousand times to make you smile and you have tried a thousand times not to.
I have dreaded even having to deal with you. I even tried coming at another time only to find you there at all hours.
The hard, staid, look on your face remains unchanged no matter what day it is, what time it is or even what season.
A “Beautiful day!” gets a moan.
“Hello, how are you today?” always returns “The same.”
I have given up on you, I have been angered by you, I have even thought about complaining to the manager, but didn’t.
Then one day I caught myself acting just like you and realized that I must stop.
I finally resolved myself to the fact that you are who you are and I cannot change that.
You are a fact of my life and I must learn to deal with it.
You made me.
The one day that I permitted myself to return the emptiness, rude behavior, terrible attitude and silent treatment, you chose to say something.
I approached the checkout and you said, “Are you Okay?” I was stunned. I could actually feel my brow, my entire face scrunch up apparently angry that you would ask.
“Am I okay?” I said in disbelief.
“Yes.” you replied. “You are usually so upbeat and chipper.”
I stood in this dream-like state confused by what was going on.
You looked at me and said, “I depend on you to lift my spirits every time you come in. I work three jobs, my bills are piling up, my kids need clothes for school, my husband left me and three weeks later I found out I have cancer.”
I was speechless.
“Now you come in with this attitude today,” she said.
I actually apologized.
I never considered that you were much more than a clerk. I never tried to understand that behind that face was personal pain, life challenges and loss.
Sure you should learn to separate work and life, but sometimes life digs in, hurts, and you end up wearing it like an ugly dress. Fits, but no one wants to see it.
Knowing now how difficult your life is I will see you through the eyes of love.
Love is more than romantic. Love is compassionate. Love is kind. Love is forgiving. Love is seeing beyond the pain.
I learned to love you today.”
Bob Perks
Bob Perks is an inspirational author and speaker. Bob’s new book I Wish You Enough has been published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. A collection of stories based on his Eight Wishes expressed below. Visit www.BobPerks.com
“I Wish You Enough!” (c) 2001 Bob Perks
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough “Hello’s” to get you through the final “Goodbye.”
Bob Perks story illustrate how important a smile or friendly greeting can be. Right after hearing this story I heard another one with a similar message.
This woman I’ll call Patty was filled with a lot of anger and hatred. She didn’t like crowds because she felt crowded in. One day she decided to go for a walk with a different attitude; she filled herself with love instead of her usual anger. On her walk a man and his dog went by and the man smiled at her. This didn’t normally happen because of the negativity that usually surrounded her. Patty’s mood lifted. A tingling of happiness filled her and she smiled back.
Life is a blessing and what we give out is what comes back to us. Be aware of what’s happening around you and how you affect others.
A third story I wanted to share is about a little bird that opened my heart and many others. We can learn so much about love from animals. Animals are soul just like us.
A female mate was hit by a car as she swooped low across the road.
Her male mate brought her food and attended her with love and compassion.
He brought her food again, but was shocked to find her dead.
He tried to move her – a rarely seen effort.
Aware that his mate was dead and would never come back to him again, he cried with adoring love…
…and stood beside her with sadness and sorrow.
Millions of people were touched after seeing these photos in America , Europe, Australia , and even India . The photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to the most famous newspaper in France . All copies of that edition were sold out on the day these pictures were published.
All three of these stories illustrate how we affect each other by our action and words whether we are human or an animal. Little things are important like smiling at a sales clerk or a stranger on the street. We touch people in ways we will never know. Give out positive, loving energy. You never know when the love you give out will uplift another person and bring more joy into both your lives.
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The birds hit too close to home for me. Too bad they aren’t spared the grief of loss as most believe.
I guess in many lifetimes I’ve been the one departing first, so being the survivor this time is especially difficult. I feel the bird’s pain…
Yes, it’s hard to see the bird grieve for its loved one, but also touching that it loved its mate so much.
Thanks for the beautiful stories. Each one has opened my heart today so I can be the love I am as I go out in he world…