I had the best intentions of writing an inspiring post on Monday. I was going to take a little twist on the theme of Environmindful Monday.
Monday’s tip was going to be about doing something to be kind in the environment around us; the people we meet, pass by the street, see in a store or ride the elevator with.
My tip was going to be: Hold the door. I thought it sounded simple and some of you may already do this, and I was going to suggest applying that concept everywhere you go and in everything you do.
I was going to suggest you hold the door for whomever is behind you, hold the elevator door for the person coming down the hall, ask what floor they are going to and push the button for them. Let someone go in front of you in line (no matter how long the line is). Let someone have that parking spot you were waiting for.
Be of service, in some small way, to everyone you encounter. Do it with a smile and expect nothing in return. Don’t be offended if you don’t get a thank you. Keep doing it. All day.
Get coffee for a coworker who you wouldn’t normally grab coffee for (even if you don’t drink coffee yourself). Do something small, do something nice, then feel what it feels like, deep down inside, to do it “just because”.
This is a busy time of year. People are darting from place to place, stores are busy and lines are long. You can feel the stress and could cut the tension in the air with a knife.
I was going to tell you that each of us has the opportunity to make a positive change the environment around us and collectively we can make an even greater impact. I was going to tell you to go out, be merry. Spread happiness and cheer. Be compassionate, and be gracious because we may never know the value of our actions.
We may help a tired parent get home to their family in time to hug their children before bed, we might help someone be on time for a meeting or we may simply put a smile on someone’s face.
But then something changed. I was out and about, wrapping up the last of my Christmas shopping and was in stores long after they should have been closed.
Heading out after dinner I was grounded, happy, holding doors, smiling, letting others go first. Then something happened. I can’t explain it. The next thing I knew I was in the parking lot screaming at a lady who tried to bully me with the brush guard on her SUV as it was coming at the door of my little car while I backed out of my spot… and I lost it.
Maybe it was that all the holiday rush caught up to me. Maybe it was because my lips were dry and split when I smiled at the last person. Maybe it was because when I tried to take a deep breath in as I got into my car, the frigid, subzero air sucked the life out of my lungs and left me gasping for oxygen.
Whatever the case, rather than being calm and compassionate, when she accelerated at my car, I reacted. I screamed at the lady with the big red eyes and a gigantic scowl on her face, “Seriously?!? You were at the opposite end of the row when I started backing out!!! Since when does driving a big fat SUV give you right of way? Where are you going in such a hurry anyway? Nobody else is open at this godforsaken hour! ”
I continued, yelling at her in my rear view mirror too, finally ending with, “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO!”
Maybe she had a crummy day and just wanted to get home OR maybe she’s the spawn of The Grinch. Whatever the reason for her actions she got the best of me.
So you didn’t hear from me Monday because I didn’t want to be a hypocrit.
But I will say this… I still think we can change our environment. So be nice. Smile. Be caring. Be compassionate. And, yes, hold the door. At the very least, don’t bully people in parking lots for they may wish for you to get coal in your stocking!
In all seriousness, I wish you and yours a very happy, safe and healthy holiday season and hope someone holds the door for you.
Peace
Kate
Walnuts n Pears 
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