Recently in the parking lot of a big box store I overheard this conversation:
Person A -What are you doing?
Person B - I'm returning the cart?
Person A - Just leave it?
Person B - But someone could run into it or it could roll into car.
Person A - That's not your job. People get paid for that.
Person B complied and left the cart in the middle of a parking space.
As I returned the cart to a nearby parking station I couldn't stop thinking about how the considerate person's positive attitude had been trampled on. I kept wondering if she would continue trying to follow her kind nature in the future or if she had been permanently scared by this experience. As I walked into the store I thought, if I had the chance what might I say to her to make sure this one negative experience didn't stifle her kindness in the future.
It took a little while but I finally came up with what I think is the perfect answer for those who try to dampen one's kindness.
When someone tells you not to be nice, kind, polite or considerate, just say this: "I'll make you a deal. If you don't tell me not to be kind and helpful, I promise not to get on your case for being selfish and inconsiderate".
So, come on friends, Let your freak flag fly and be as nice, kind and considerate as you want to be. Let's put some real kick into kindness!
Person A -What are you doing?
Person B - I'm returning the cart?
Person A - Just leave it?
Person B - But someone could run into it or it could roll into car.
Person A - That's not your job. People get paid for that.
Person B complied and left the cart in the middle of a parking space.
As I returned the cart to a nearby parking station I couldn't stop thinking about how the considerate person's positive attitude had been trampled on. I kept wondering if she would continue trying to follow her kind nature in the future or if she had been permanently scared by this experience. As I walked into the store I thought, if I had the chance what might I say to her to make sure this one negative experience didn't stifle her kindness in the future.
It took a little while but I finally came up with what I think is the perfect answer for those who try to dampen one's kindness.
When someone tells you not to be nice, kind, polite or considerate, just say this: "I'll make you a deal. If you don't tell me not to be kind and helpful, I promise not to get on your case for being selfish and inconsiderate".
So, come on friends, Let your freak flag fly and be as nice, kind and considerate as you want to be. Let's put some real kick into kindness!
