A new series on bologna blog. Fits, doesn’t it? Let’s see if we can nail down some of the things that really, really matter in life. As I encounter them. And make fun of most of them.
Number one!
Being nice.
I flew to the lovely little state of Connecticut (it’s in New England. the United States) over an extra-long Memorial Weekend. Visited my very goodest friends and did some hardcore manly backpacking with Jason. I’d never flown alone before–I realized as a buddy dropped me off at the airport in Arkansas and asked “any pre-flight jitters?” and I said “no. Rochelle always just tells me when to get on the…wait OH NO I’M SO SCARED!” Anyway, got on the plane okay, and did the “wait in the aisle for like 14 minutes while that older gentleman tries to stow a dead yak into the overhead compartment.”
(if you must, skip to minute 4) oh, this is YOUR world!?!
As I mentioned like months ago about running nice, I’m trying to be intentional about it. Going out of my way to be extra nice isn’t something I’ve been about. So, I gave it a shot. When I thought all hope was lost, when my legs were giving out and my neck would snap (yeah, I have to bend my 6’3″ self over on those puddle jumpers) the guy with the dead yak gave up and sat down. When I shuffled by him, I caught his eye and said “Ya moron!” no, I said “I thought I booked a flight on a BIG PEOPLE plane!” with my neck craned over. He chuckled! And so did the lady behind me. Crisis averted!
Being nice matters. And makes a difference. It’s fun to fly!
Yep, being nice is really underrated. Once I was in a group and we had to use one word to describe each person, and the word they used to describe me was “nice,” and I remember feeling distinctly disappointed and thought how boring I must be (plus they were mistaken, I’m not always nice, mwahahhaha). Over time, though, I’ve begun to see how this simple thing, niceness, can impact people, and effect their day in big ways. Working in retail I learned the huge difference a nice customer makes, and how a mean one can ruin a whole day. I’d even go so far as to say that a small simple act of kindness or a kind word can snowball into something that impacts not only a day but a life…you never know…
Keep it up, JW! I hear you, though–you need a little mystery in the “nice” personality, eh? But geez louise yeah: the people in my life that are the kindest almost always make the biggest impact. Not the smartest, not even the wisest.
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Loved it. So proud of you!
Comment by ro— June 9, 2010 #
Your oh-so-scared-moment seriously made me laugh out loud. Shel is indispensable, isn’t she?
Way to keep it light and kind. There is no such thing in any person’s life as an unimportant day.
Comment by Wendy @ Living Creatively— June 9, 2010 #
Shell my Bell is the cat’s pajamas. She definitely helps keep my days from feeling unimportant!
Comment by Tony— June 16, 2010 #
Yep, being nice is really underrated. Once I was in a group and we had to use one word to describe each person, and the word they used to describe me was “nice,” and I remember feeling distinctly disappointed and thought how boring I must be (plus they were mistaken, I’m not always nice, mwahahhaha). Over time, though, I’ve begun to see how this simple thing, niceness, can impact people, and effect their day in big ways. Working in retail I learned the huge difference a nice customer makes, and how a mean one can ruin a whole day. I’d even go so far as to say that a small simple act of kindness or a kind word can snowball into something that impacts not only a day but a life…you never know…
Comment by Julie Woods— June 15, 2010 #
Keep it up, JW! I hear you, though–you need a little mystery in the “nice” personality, eh? But geez louise yeah: the people in my life that are the kindest almost always make the biggest impact. Not the smartest, not even the wisest.
Comment by Tony— June 16, 2010 #