Lite ’em up!
-The husband’s war cry heard only by me!
Can you believe it is December? You all know what that means! The reason for the season! The haze of frenzied holiday shopping…
Or does the holiday not exist for you? Too many shenanigans to even deal with? Well, I have news! You still get to deal with the frazzled nerves of retail clerks and rude people. In the real world, they are everywhere!
What happens when you need to purchase some groceries, and your clerk is in a dark mood? What about the guy in line who just can’t be bothered to acknowledge you? How about the lady with the cart who stops right in front of you and parks it?
My hubby is an even-keeled individual. He rarely lets anything upset him! However, it bugs him when someone is just a crab ass, and out to ruin everyone else’s day! He wants everyone to simply be good citizens and perform their duties as they should! If you are in the service business, you provide service with a smile! If you are in a public place, you have manners and be a pleasant person to be around. Period. (Bless his heart!)
I am not even-tempered. I like to play the invisible game… I just pretend rude people do not exist. I can ignore screaming triplets with ease. No problem. If I come across you and you are crabby… have a rotten day! But I’m gonna have a good day!
However, my husband has requested that I use my powers for good! So I engage…
My husband will shop with me. We make trips to the store together. Partly because he now can, and I don’t have to go solo anymore. There are times when he is just scared, I may be having a bad symptom day. Even on decent days, I may not make it through a shopping trip unscathed… I’m a bit of a gravity checker. Don’t dwell on that. I don’t!
As we go about our business, my husband will approach me from time to time and say, “Lite ’em up!” I will approach the offending individual, size them up and… well… say something.
Here is an example:
WalMart. A recent trip…
Checking out our groceries was a slight of a man, not in a very decent mood at all. Just so unnecessary. I got the signal, “Lite ’em up!” I tore myself away from the tabloid magazines and walked up to the clerk with a roll of Mentos in my hand. (Mentos, best mints ever!) The clerk asked if I was with him? (The hubby was ahead of me bagging groceries.) I pointed at my hubby and said, “Him? No… but I’m sure he won’t mind paying for these… if he gets mad, I’ll just let him keep my Mentos.” The clerk stopped completely and looked at my husband and back at me. I whispered, “It’ll be fine, he doesn’t look that big.” (Everyone was silent.) My husband started to laugh, then I did too. The clerk began laughing so hard he teared up.
We saw this guy a few days later, he remembered us and greeted us like old friends! What did it cost us to be kind? Nothing.
We do this! All. The. Time. Never the same script. You just watch the person and figure out what will work. Easy!
When someone is having a difficult day, why not make it better? A compliment. A kind inquiry. Just say please and thank you! It isn’t that hard. I just read my friend Billy Mac’s post called “My Best Work.” It is about simply being aware of the people around you and being kind. Have a quick read! GO! Together we can make this world a better, kinder place to live.
Live your best life!
~Kim
Absolutely nothing, and yet we often forget.
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We do. And it’s not always appropriate but when there is opportunity we can take it. 😊💜😢
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For sure.
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I love your idea Kim.
I usually smile at everyone and nod a hello. Some people smile back some look at me like I spit on them.
Mostly older woman. Like myself and older. They must be very sad. Maybe no one ever acknowledges them.
Anyway keeep lighting them up
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You still attempt to make a difference. It really does matter! We will continue!😊💜
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Kim, That was amazing! And you do this all the time? What a wonderful force to be reckoned with, you are. Great story…made my day! Good moods are contagious, too! 🙂 Mona
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Moods are soooo contagious! Yes, pretty much do this all the time. I think it helps me too! I don’t need to be so disconnected. This doesn’t always work, but 9 out of 10 times it does! Smile and the world smiles with you!😊💜
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Hahaha!! We do it too!! Stuart is the absolute best at making people feel like they are the most important person he knows at that moment. We always try to bring good cheer to people where ever we go, we know how hard it can be to work with the public, especially during the holidays.
I’m the complimenter. I love to compliment people. I’ll stop people in the mall just to tell them I like their hair, or shoes, or what it says on their shirt…. I love making people feel special.
It doesn’t cost anything to be kind.
Too bad more people don’t understand that.
smooches and happy holidays Kim
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Yay! I knew it!!! Isn’t it fun? I just love making someone’s day… just that extra little compliment goes sooooo far! Happy Holidays to you and Stewart! 💜💜💜
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Hahah I might try this… but with an actual stranger in front of me at the checkout, see if they’ll buy me a bar of chocolate 😉
Seriously though, you’re so right – sometimes people are too pissed off and ignorant to be cheered up (because it’s their personality trait: asshole), but a lot of time actually a little nudge will help a lot of people smile, to give them a little perspective by pulling them out, even if only briefly, from what’s getting them down. And kindness is free, baby! xxxx
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Kindness IS free baby! 😂🤣😂 I’ve come to know when one simply just is unapproachable. But there aren’t many… I’ve surprised myself a few times. If it doesn’t work, what’s the harm? It not going to affect you. No trauma. Assholes beware… Caz will disarm you!!! 💜
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Fabulous … I try sometimes to lite me up too,but it doesn’t always work
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Hi Bella! You do need to ‘size up’ your opponent! 😳 it is risky! However, never take it personally (I’ve crashed and burned a few times!) and if you aren’t in a good head space, don’t try. Otherwise, green light! 😊 I think it’s just fun. I just always try to be polite… and I’m sure you do too! Not everyone is comfortable being a dork- I AM! 😂🤣😂
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🤗
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You read my comment right, I had a major typo. I meant to say that I try to lite others up too and it doesn’t work. You are right, you gotta play it by ear if you can. Or can not lite em up
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Absolutely!💜
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Bella! Lite yourself up! I misread your comment! Always Lite Up first! 💜💜💜
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🤗
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It’s easy some days, hard other days. But the days where I don’t put forth that effort I notice the difference in the way people respond to me.
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Great point! What you put out comes back. I honestly had a rough day yesterday… I was extremely tired and couldn’t engage. The public appearances did not go well. There is a big difference how people respond to engagement vs. non-engagement. Thanks for bringing this up! 😊💫
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I am more like you – those folks are invisible to me
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It is much easier… The invisible game, glad I am not the only one playing it!
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As my drill sergeant was fond of saying in basic training, I wouldn’t give the Debbie Downers the sweat off my balls if they were dying of thirst
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😂🤣😂
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What a great double act you are! I try to avoid busy days at the supermarket, but I will try your Lite Up tips going up to Christmas. x
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Yay!
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I do this too Kim!! I love playing and making people laugh, especially when they have to work with the public!
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Awesome! Great to hear!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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