Celebrating the Inspiring Human(s) Of This World

There are days when it is easier to complain than it is to see the good in the world. It's easy to see the unrest, the confusion of mankind, the anger that builds up in those who feel lost and alone, especially if they listen day after day to the social media's narratives. And, trust me, most of it IS a narrative. The more "journalists" can add drama to their reporting, creating more views...which translate into you get to keep your job for another day.

It's equally easier to cave and just go ahead and say you're getting old. You know of what I speak. Reality is reality. Well...for some, reality is reality. Sad to say (here comes Debbie Downer), it appears brain-washing is at an all time high. But that's not what this blog is about. That is reserved (possibly when I'm feeling all washed up 😉), for another day. Where did this thought come from? 🤷‍♀️

However, it does seem as if I am reaching for my CBD achy, breaky, cream, more times than usual, these days. Mostly when the weather shifts and those cold and cloudy days (that I LOVE), are on the horizon heading straight my way. 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼 My back hurts, my head hurts, my wrists hurt, and NOW I've noticed my left hip has joined the ever growing crowd. But, I'm a trooper. I pretend I'm not a day older than 35, when I still had decent hormone and metabolism levels, and could work circles around most that lived in my world. So far, that pretense isn't working so well. My brain has a new commander-in-chief, known as "the rest of the story;" the body it used to command is now in charge.

Only Dennis gets to hear how much I ache, and "guess I'm going to down a couple of Tylenol and take to the bed...again"only because he lives in the same house as I do. That happened just last evening and by 7:30 PM I was sound asleep. At least that was the last time I noticed the time, and Dennis said I was asleep when he came in to use the privy. Also, when I woke at 1:30 AM, I noticed a couple of text messages a friend sent at 8:06 PM that didn't wake me. This very light sleeper was OUT! So sorry, friend. I was here, just not ALL here.

And, again...that is NOT what this blog is about! Good grief. I do get down the many rabbit trails. Dennis and I were talking (well, I was talking...D was listening...I think), just a couple of days ago how very complex my brain wiring is. It bores quickly with the subject at hand and jumps to something entirely off the subject, but has been inspired BY the subject. See what I mean? Many times I even forget what I'm talking about. Like now. It's why I don't like to be interrupted. If I lose my train of thought, well, you know. Go figure.

Soooo...if you are still reading, here's the real reason my fingers are busy brushing keystrokes this early morn. I ventured out, yesterday (no, this isn't it either...first the distracted thought). It's been at least 3 weeks, possibly 4, that I've gone to the grocery store. When we run out of something, DW just runs up the road (about a half mile away), and picks up what we need for the next couple of days. That has been a huge pivot for me. It was my job to "bring home the bacon"...and whatever else we needed to maintain a normal household. Routine has changed. Drastically changed...but he rarely complains. And then, it's usually through body language only, no verbal despair.

I could have just written a post on FB about how uplifting it was to encounter a young person that looked at peace, instead of indifference, where it says, "What's on your mind, Mary?" But, nope. I felt it necessary to document ever little thought zipping through my mind, probably because I went to bed way too early and woke way too early. And THAT takes a blog post. 

Here's what you've been waiting for. Hopefully. 

Anytime I go to a brick and mortar store, it is very rare to find an employee that not only is kind and thoughtful, but also has a very pleasant persona. One that seems confident in who they are and why they are there. One who recognizes they are not the only person walking this planet and there may be other needs outside their own that should they be willing to help, might give them more self-worth. A sense of being needed. Which we all need. Or just because they love giving of themselves.

I was looking for something I couldn't find when I came up to a young man gathering groceries, and such, for the most of humanity in our area (it would seem...huge cart). Those who just don't want to go inside to do their own shopping. I get it! That's where the germs are from sick people, gross kiddos (or adults), and none of them caring what you think. I don't like going in, either. But the need to see, and feel, especially the produce I want, is stronger than not wanting to go inside. 

Anyway...this young man stopped what he was doing, without a trace of annoyance. He was so accommodating, I just wanted to hug him! He not only looked it up for me on his little phone thingy, but he stopped what he was doing and TOOK ME THERE!!! It was on a shelf I probably could have reached, but he grabbed it for me and asked if it would work for what I needed. There were several other designs on the shelf, and not wanting to take anymore of his time, I just said, "I'll look these over and surely one will work. Thank you, so much! I do appreciate you." He smiled and said, "Okay. Thanks." Then went on his way to complete the orders he was pulling when I intruded upon him.

I don't think a minute had passed before I saw him coming my way with another style of the item I was looking for, that he had found on a shelf 3 isles away. He brought it my way, I am convinced, because he actually listened to what I had said. That being the comment of how big the other item was and I didn't have a lot of storage space. He had found one, half the size of the first, and thought it might work better for me. THIS is what I call customer service! A busy employee, taking the time for an in-person customer.

This young man gave me hope for the next generation who will be running this oft times mixed up world where right is wrong, and wrong is right. I rarely get anyone that is willing to look me in the eye when (and if) I get a response. They might take the time to point in the direction of an aisle 150 feet away and say, "It's over there." Okay. Great. That should cut my time by possibly 30 seconds, if the Gods smile on me.

And THAT is what my inspiration for today's blog was all about. You just got a bit more insight into my world. My thoughts. My ramblings. Scattered as they may be. Tis me...

As always, here you will find me...in Mary's World.

P.S.

There's a possibility of SNOW, tomorrow!!! Whoop! 

The Quest for Excellence

A couple of decades ago, I worked for a family owned pizza restaurant in Miami, Oklahoma. I had removed myself from the salon industry and had gone to "help out" my sister and her family, as their business grew to unimaginable heights. They/we were head and neck deep in customers, so much so, that we were always rubbing shoulders with someone (literally), as we took care of such a valuable asset. 

Eventually I was made to oversee the dining room experience. That included the monthly training of the wait team. One of our mottos was, "If you have time to lean, you have time to clean." And the 68% rule would unexpectedly be thrown in during our times together, just to see who remembered it and why they thought it was important to know. In our Quest for Excellence monthly meetings, product knowledge was at the top of our list of things needing understood. That, and the cleaning thing...

I can remember cutting out various shapes with labels for toppings that would go on various sandwiches, because those were the items new employees had a hard time remembering. I wanted them to be able to tell a customer exactly what they were getting when they ordered whatever it was they had ordered, so it was a "put the right ingredient on" whatever I chose to give them as a customer order. Our wait team was amazing. They listened. They learned quickly. They were respectful. Mostly...*ahem. And, I'm pretty sure most of the girls & guys remember the car lights shining on the entry doors at close to make sure they cleaned them thoroughly for the morning opening staff (which always complained they weren't). I'm pretty sure the night elves snuck in and dirtied up those doors, because my girls (and guy) were awesome at cleaning. They even learned how to get ALL crumbs out of the booths seats without cutting the leather. I saw more than a few raised eyebrows, on occasion, but they loved me, whether they think they did or not. 😂

It wasn't all a bed of roses, so-to-speak. There were some very trying times. Life is like that, ya know. How else would we learn to do good, if challenges weren't present? There are many stories I could tell about those years at Papazano's, but this post is not about that.

Yesterday, I had gone to the grocery store and because it was so very hot outside, I decided we would just enjoy some Chicken Salad from Chicken Salad Chick in Waverly Place, for our dinner. Sometimes, I will stop in and purchase their made-ahead containers of various flavorings. Always delicious. I do love their Broccoli Salad (sprinkled with bacon bits) AND their Grape Salad (sprinkled with brown sugar and pecan bits) as sides to any main dish. If you know me, you probably also know that I give anything at least 3 times before judging whether it needs addressed. Anything.

Wellll....yesterday was the 3rd time I was graced with an employees attitude that put me over the top. But, since I have mellowed in my old age, I chose to wait and just lay my frustration out on my keyboard, instead of embarrassing the young man by asking if he was having a good day. And possibly some other snyd remark. Yep. I used to be kinda bossy. Kinda rude. Kinda self-serving. Those attributes never go anywhere but down, where they belong.

Here's the low-down on what I'm talking about: With money in hand, I choose my take-out and proceed to the checkout point, where there were 2 employees checking out their customers. The lines were moving smoothly, until it was my turn at the register. The young man behind the register never once looked up to greet his customer. With head down, he continued to fiddle with his computer. I have no idea what he was doing, but pretty sure he did. I waited calmly, although the fact he was ignoring a faithful customer was annoying to say the least. But, maybe he was having a really hard day and I wasn't in too much of a hurry, so...

I didn't time the wait, but it felt longer than it should have been. The only way I knew he knew I was there, was the fact he began to separate my purchases. Still, with his head hanging down, never once speaking a word or making eye contact. He was just going through the motions of a job needing done. Since this was my third interaction with him, in as many weeks, I'm beginning to think he must have a hard life, or is just indifferent to life. Remember the 68% rule? It was about to kick in. Look it up, if you have no idea what I'm talking about. I asked him a couple of questions about toppings they offer for a couple of my choices, which he answered with a closed mouth "um-hum", head still down. This dude would never be able to identify any part of me in a line-up. Guess I should be thankful.

To be fair, I do think he mumbled something about me having a "good" or "nice" day, as I was leaving. I can't be 100% sure about that, because as I turned to leave, my last view of him was with his head still down. 🤷‍♀️

Life can be hard. I do understand that. What I don't understand is why businesses aren't more mindful of their employees and make sure they are okay. Mentally, if not physically. Both, really...but the emotional state of a human being (especially being used in a service position to customers), is of vital importance. Not just for the employee, but for the business as well! Good grief! I just don't get it.

When I went back to the beauty industry, after leaving Papazanos (Miami, remember?), I leased a building for a couple of years on the South side of town, then moved to North Main where I purchased land and a building. After gutting the building and creating a spa-like atmosphere, inside, and out, I began the process of hiring. Each potential employee had to pass 3 reviews by having 3 meetings with me. Then, they had to sign a document that outlined who the business was, what they could expect from me, and what was expected of them. That cut down on surprises. One of those things I expected of them, was that although I understood life can throw us a curve that creates a lot of stress, they would have to be able to leave those difficulties at the back door when coming to work, and walk into the salon with a smile on their face and gratitude in their heart for having a job where clients choose them to take care of what they viewed to be a very important part of their confidence. They were to come to work with clean clothes and hair done. Our customers hair always made a statement that either gave them great confidence, or made their load heavier. The employees were to be able to step away from their own problems for the time they were serving others, and make that time about the customer...never pouring their own problems onto the customer. Then, upon leaving the business for the day, they could pick that problem back up and try to find a solution, so their own spirit would be lifted the next day.

I wish businesses would hire me to train their employees since it appears they can't find the time. I would go once a month (maybe twice, depending on the need), to each business that hired me. The Quest for Excellence would be launched in each business. Wouldn't you, as a customer, enjoy a smiling face that genuinely offered you a blessing for your day? 

Always searching for excellence, here you'll find me...in Mary's World.