My son took his first steps tonight (sniffle, smile, sniffle, smile), which put me in a contemplative mood.
He stumbled, leaned too far forward to keep his balance, tried to go too fast, and needed his dad and me to be there to catch him. He went back and forth, back and forth, his face a smile, our excitement contagious. We all clapped, we all laughed, we all cheered. I wish I could bottle those five minutes and drink it up every day.
Isn't this how we all are throughout life?
We try something new, a career, marriage, a baby!, a friendship, opening our hearts, forgiving someone, embracing who we are.
It is hard. We stumble, we try too hard, we go too fast, but we keep trying. If we don't, we never learn to walk on our own, with our own confidence, our own faith, our own destiny.
We need others to catch us and stand us back up. Without our cheering sections, our successes are mere footnotes rather than headlines.
May we all take the steps that allow us to grow, but more importantly, may we applaud each other's efforts, even calling for an encore.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Small Acts of Kindness
You know those times when you just need to hear something nice about yourself or have something good happen? It is amazing to me that when that pick-me-up is just what the doctor ordered,
my mom emails me,
my friend sends a text,
a ward member gives me a hug,
my husband says I love you,
a friend blogs something nice,
or my Heavenly Father sends a beautiful evening to sit on the porch swing with my family.
my mom emails me,
my friend sends a text,
a ward member gives me a hug,
my husband says I love you,
a friend blogs something nice,
or my Heavenly Father sends a beautiful evening to sit on the porch swing with my family.
What ever happened to customer service?
Whatever happened to the customer is always right? You would think that in this economy, businesses would be busting their butts to try to get people to spend their money at their place of commerce.
How may I help you? Thank you. I apologize for the inconvenience. I will be glad to do that. All phrases that have gone by the wayside.
What is the deal? I am irritated. If you choose to go into the business of customer service, you need to do your best to SERVE the CUSTOMER.
I was never a waitress because I wear my feelings on my face too well. If I don't like you, I can't pretend. It wouldn't make for good tips.
I have had several experiences in the past few months that lead me to this rant. Yes, I admit that this is a rant. Dish Network telling me I need a Smart Card to update my receiver, yet neglecting to get it sent for four months, while all the while messages annoyingly flashed on my screen telling me to insert the card. Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am; it was sent from Phoenix a month ago. What? By pony? We live four hours away!
A waitress literally ignoring me and my dining companions, bringing our appetizer almost with our meal, if our meal weren't delayed while all the other diners around us finished eating. Really? And I am supposed to tip you 20%?
A toy company passing the buck to another business who actually makes the toys, when my son's star stopped playing the classical music three weeks after we got it. No, we didn't drop it in water. Yes, we changed the batteries several times. Still no music. Well, let me refer you to... Um. No. Let me refer you to basic cs101. You tell me you are sorry for the toy not working properly and let me know how it will be corrected.
Verizon not working to upgrade a phone for months, even though they work on commission. Each place I went, each time I called, I got a different answer. I was willing to spend the money, if you would work out something for me. Loyal customers meant nothing.
A hotel room's thermostat breaking in the summer heat at midnight. We got moved then to another, cooler room, but they refused to let us leave our luggage in the other room. They weren't full - it was summer in Phoenix for goodness' sake. We were leaving the next day and would get our luggage in the morning. It was midnight! Sorry, but I won't be returning there.
The good news:
1. I finally got a Smart Card; I still don't know why it is so smart, either. My television watching hasn't changed.
2. The restaurant sent me a gift certificate after I sent an email about our experience there.
3. My son got a new music-playing star, which he loves.
4. I got a new phone after a kiosk employee worked a deal. He graduated from cs101.
5. My friend took the hotel night manager, chewed him out, and ate him for a midnight snack. That was worth the inconvenience to hear her on the phone with him. Memories. . .
How may I help you? Thank you. I apologize for the inconvenience. I will be glad to do that. All phrases that have gone by the wayside.
What is the deal? I am irritated. If you choose to go into the business of customer service, you need to do your best to SERVE the CUSTOMER.
I was never a waitress because I wear my feelings on my face too well. If I don't like you, I can't pretend. It wouldn't make for good tips.
I have had several experiences in the past few months that lead me to this rant. Yes, I admit that this is a rant. Dish Network telling me I need a Smart Card to update my receiver, yet neglecting to get it sent for four months, while all the while messages annoyingly flashed on my screen telling me to insert the card. Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am; it was sent from Phoenix a month ago. What? By pony? We live four hours away!
A waitress literally ignoring me and my dining companions, bringing our appetizer almost with our meal, if our meal weren't delayed while all the other diners around us finished eating. Really? And I am supposed to tip you 20%?
A toy company passing the buck to another business who actually makes the toys, when my son's star stopped playing the classical music three weeks after we got it. No, we didn't drop it in water. Yes, we changed the batteries several times. Still no music. Well, let me refer you to... Um. No. Let me refer you to basic cs101. You tell me you are sorry for the toy not working properly and let me know how it will be corrected.
Verizon not working to upgrade a phone for months, even though they work on commission. Each place I went, each time I called, I got a different answer. I was willing to spend the money, if you would work out something for me. Loyal customers meant nothing.
A hotel room's thermostat breaking in the summer heat at midnight. We got moved then to another, cooler room, but they refused to let us leave our luggage in the other room. They weren't full - it was summer in Phoenix for goodness' sake. We were leaving the next day and would get our luggage in the morning. It was midnight! Sorry, but I won't be returning there.
The good news:
1. I finally got a Smart Card; I still don't know why it is so smart, either. My television watching hasn't changed.
2. The restaurant sent me a gift certificate after I sent an email about our experience there.
3. My son got a new music-playing star, which he loves.
4. I got a new phone after a kiosk employee worked a deal. He graduated from cs101.
5. My friend took the hotel night manager, chewed him out, and ate him for a midnight snack. That was worth the inconvenience to hear her on the phone with him. Memories. . .
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