Sometimes it’s little things we take for granted which mean so much. In a season loaded with thanks, praise, ecards, reflections, and gifts, it’s time to praise the ones we don’t consciously think about often enough, but who really do make a difference.
Like Kit, who always smiles with sincere appreciation whenever she sees me waiting at her fast food, drive-through window. I know, it’s just a burger, but she always asks me how I’m doing and really wants me to have a good day. How can you not drive away feeling better?!
Or Keith, who drops off the newspapers every morning with little fanfare in pristine condition, rain or shine, housed in their sleek, plastic bag. If something is amiss (infrequently), I comment online, he calls me within 15-minutes, and the missing periodical appears within 30-minutes. Amazing. I’m soothed. Again, the little things…
Or Beau, who every couple of years whitewashes our mildewy roof. He confirms a price, shows up on time, cleans up well, and smiles in appreciation with his passion to do things right. Quality people who take the concept of “just doing their job” and turn it into an art form, more than a perfunctory routine, a grind, or a chore. It’s so pleasant to work with people who are so pleasant.
Like David, who would come in after business hours to clean our offices for decades, always asking how things were going, always with genuine interest, asking if anything needed extra polishing, waxing, cleaning, or care. Just because.
Or Brett, who ensures that the office furniture looks right and fits right. And Nick, who treats placing a golf bag on a golf cart like surgery- carefully, with focus, and as if it was his own… so you smile as you drive away.
I could ramble on about many more people who we all encounter in our regular orbits. We usually don’t know them well, yet they provide comfort through consistent caring and conscientiousness attitudes. We leave their presence feeling better than when we showed up. Yes, a big mahalo this holiday season to those who make that difference (especially in these tough times) by living aloha, even if our interactions with you are brief and infrequent. Quality service is (unfortunately) not a given, but you folks provide a wee spark to uplift us, free of charge. Merry Christmas!
Think about it…