“Back in the day” I was taught to say please, thank you, and you’re welcome (as opposed to this generation’s obnoxious “no problem” response). I was also taught the general “common courtesies” like letting the guy carrying the packages go through the door first while you hold it for him.
Well I remember the lesson taught when my mother sent me back into the hair salon to leave two dollars on the station table for the gal who cut my hair. I was 10 or 12 years old, and two dollars seemed like a lot to tip for a five-dollar hair cut.
“She did an excellent job,” said Mom, running her fingers through the side of my hair. “She cut right into your natural waves. Good service should always be rewarded.”
My lawn guy knows all about good service. Although we agreed he would mow my lawn every two weeks, he frequently stops by to check on it, opting to wait another week or more if it’s been dry and hasn’t grown much, or mowing sooner if I’m going to be having company visit or the dandelions are threatening to take over.
Now I happen to know my lawn guy is an avid fisherman. During the winter months, he enjoys going to various streams and rivers around here as much as possible. I also recall he commented once that the price of gas sometimes kept him from going fishing as often as he’d like.
Eureka! Although I don’t normally see my law guy between November and March, I do have his mailing address, and it was super-easy to slip a gas card inside a Christmas card. Made me feel good all week, imagining how surprised he’d be!
What I didn’t imagine was how surprised I’d be when he showed up at my door with half a salmon, all filleted and ready to cook, telling me how happy he was to receive my gift!
I shared the fish with a couple friends of mine, and they gave me a beautiful winter squash in return. Like a pebble dropped into a pond, the kindness rippled outward, proof positive that what goes around, comes around.
The universal vibration was raised for at least a half dozen people that day (counting the friend I invited for salmon dinner and the local gas station owner where I bought the card). Good service, good deeds, it all makes the world a nicer place.
So here’s the challenge: What will YOU do today to keep the positive vibrations going?