Leaving a Little Soul With a Smile

--by wayfarer, posted Jun 17, 2009

I was in the queue for the supermarket checkout earlier today. All of the checkouts were busy and the woman behind me in the queue was not happy! Every word that came out her mouth was negative, a complaint, a moan, a whinge! She wasn't happy with the number of checkouts opened, she wasn't happy with the amount of shopping some people had in their baskets, she wasn't happy because this supermarket didn't have a stand where you could scan your own shopping. She wasn't happy!

I listened to her without looking around as I loaded my stuff onto the conveyor belt. I didn't want anything to do with that kind of attitude, and if ever I had felt like letting someone go ahead of me, it wouldn't be such a moaner!

But then I glanced back. Standing beside the woman was a five year old girl, possibly her granddaughter. The girl's part of the shopping consisted of a comic book and High School Musical mug.

I couldn't help it. I pushed my shopping back to the end of the conveyor, leaving a space. "After you," I said to the woman and girl and treated them to a big smile. The woman was delighted and even forgot to moan - until she was walking away. Then she started up again.

So, why bother helping? Because that little girl was probably soaking up her Gran's disapproval like a sponge. She was learning how to deal with situations like that by listening to her Gran. Suddenly, I saw I could leave that little girl with a completely negative example - or I could break that experience, snap it, and put a smile, some pleasantness, some kindness smack in the middle of it.

We can all complain, we can all react negatively, but it doesn't have to be like that. And, even if only for a few seconds, I wanted to leave that little soul with just a glimpse of another way.

4882 Reads

Posted by wayfarer
Jun 17, 2009
Comments (13)

Readers Comments

warmth wrote: Thank god for your positive kindness for the little soul. It has been delightful and inspiring to read about your positive attitude. Thank you for sharing :) god bless u

rchtinsl2 wrote: I'm so glad you used that chance to smile at the child, and help! I might also want to mention, as a side note, we have no idea what "gran" had to go through that day. Maybe her hubby of 40 years was in the hospital, not knowing if he would make it. Maybe, like i read in the news yesterday, her mom just passed on, and on the way to the funeral, her hubby was killed. Maybe she was, as was assumed, just having a bad day. But, what could we have done for "gran" to help her out, and give her a small amount of kindness to get through the day? Please understand, i'm not criticizing, just figuring out what i can do next time the shoes on my foot!

iferlamb wrote: That was so big of you. Granny had no presence. Somethings are just lost on some people because they themselves are lost. It was so wonderful that you had the presence to see and jump at the opportunity to change the situation at hand. Smiles.

grapes wrote: It is one of those examples where we make a difference to those around and influence the mindset of the people. What an act and what a story. Most of do that sometimes but sharing it motivates even more to do such a thing.

You have moved lives- the kids' and yours
Keep it up

Jacinda wrote: Wayfarer what a wonderful thing you did! If only all people were as positive as you! Thanks so very much for sharing. Loved your post :) big smiles, jacinda :) :)

luvlee wrote: Wow. Thats very inspiring. I luved it the way you want to create the difference in the child. U r simply wonderful.

irongrace wrote: Good for you, children learn by what they see. Your smile will be remembered by the girl and maybe someday she will pass it on to someone else.

lovebug wrote: A glimpse might be all she will ever need.

JuneBug wrote: That's so powerful,Davey!!! Wow! :)

onefish2fish wrote: so true so true how one kind act can stick with a child! great job!

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