ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL things
about having a positive attitude is the number of
people it touches, many times in ways you'll never
know.
Recently, I stopped by a convenience store to get
a newspaper and a pack of gum. The young
woman at the check-out counter said, "That will
be five dollars please," and as I reached into my
wallet, the thought occurred to me that a newspaper
and gum didn't quite make it to five dollars.
When I looked up to get a "re-quote," she had a big smile on her face and said, "Gotcha! I got
to get my tip in there somehow!" I laughed
when I knew I'd been had. She then glanced
down at the paper I was buying and said, "I'm
sick and tired of all this negative stuff on the
front pages. I want to read some good news
for a change." She then said, "In fact, I think
someone should just publish a Good News
newspaper — a paper with wonderful, inspirational
stories about people overcoming
adversity and doing good things for others.
I'd buy one every day!" She then thanked me
for coming in and said, "Maybe we'll get
lucky tomorrow; maybe we'll get some good
news," and she laughed. She made my day.
The following day after my business appointments,
I dropped by the same store again to
pick up bottled water, but a different young
lady was behind the counter. As I checked out
I said, "Good afternoon" and handed her my
money for the water. She said nothing — not
a word, not a smile ... nothing. She just handed
me my change and in a negative tone
ordered ... "Next!"
It hit me right between the eyes: Two people,
same age; one made me feel great, and the other, well, made me feel that I had inconvenienced
her by showing up.
By the choices we make, by the attitudes we
exhibit, we are influencing lives every day in
positive or negative ways ... our family, our
peers, our friends, and even strangers we've
never met before and will never meet again.
So when you brush your teeth every morning,
look in the mirror and ask yourself this
important question: Who do I want to be
today? "The Grouch" or "The Good News
Girl?" Your answer will go a long way toward
determining the joy and happiness that you
will experience in your life.
Learn more about Mac Anderson, founder of
Successories and author of the Simple Truths book
series.