“Don't forget that you're a citizen of this world, and there are things you can do every day to lift the human spirit, things that are easy, things that are free, things you can do every day. Civility, respect, kindness, character." ~ Aaron Sorkin
I was sitting in a medical office waiting room yesterday. Every seat was taken except for two next to me. The room was still except for some impatient fidgeting. The front door opened, and an older couple entered just as I coughed. "Bless you," the old man said, as he took the seat next to me.
"Thank you," I said. "I welcome the blessing, even though that wasn't a sneeze."
The man laughed. and said, "Actually, I thought it was more of a cough than a sneeze. I've got a cough that sounds like a sneeze too. Can't get rid of it. That's why I'm here." He then coughed, either on purpose or coincidentally.
"Bless you," I said. He and the woman chuckled. I saw another person smile.
"Why don't we say, 'Bless you' for coughs?" he said. "Why not say 'Bless you' for other things beside sneezing?"
"Why not?" I said. "We could say it like a 'Hello.' "
"Right," he said.
"Bless you," I said to his wife (I assumed she was) and to the people next to her. He said it to the people across the room. It felt kind of awkward. But it broke the ice, so to speak. And we all came a little closer to feeling like friends instead of strangers.
Little incidences like this are not going to change the world. Or might they? Imagine if every one of us every day did little kindnesses that are easy, fun, and free.
Will you try it today?
Charlene
THE FOURTH GIFT IS COMPASSION: May you be gentle with yourself and others... - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth.
