Gentle Reminder
It’s been raining all week, and I was in need of some windshield wipers. I stopped by an auto parts store after work yesterday, and I made two passes through the store, unable to find what I was looking for. I approached two of the employees and said “I realize I’m tired, but I seem to be overlooking the wiper blades.” A really nice young lady points me to an aisle to my left that I’d managed to miss, and even gives me a quick spiel about how she has the value blades that work fine, and bought her mom the more expensive brand and she loves them.
I selected a pair and stood patiently in line as the young lady looked up parts for another customer. She calls out to the second employee, and he quickly takes his place at the register to ring up my purchase. As he hands me my receipt, he asks “would you like me to put those on for you?” And I paused as I thought about it. Not sure why I hesitated, he then says “I know you said you were tired.” And as I processed those words, a voice in my head said “let someone else do something nice for you for once.”
I have gotten so used to doing everything for myself that it’s second nature for me to refuse help. I know how to put on a pair of wiper blades, but it wasn’t about whether or not I could, it was about allowing someone else to do something for me, even if it was as simple as installing wiper blades. So I accepted his offer, and took it as a gentle reminder that I should let people do things for me more often, even things I can easily do for myself. Like opening a door, or carrying a bag.
Just because you can (and do) do it all, doesn’t mean you should. It’s ok to accept the kindness of others, and you’d be surprised that most people don’t want anything in return but a simple thank you. I needed that reminder.
Have a good weekend,
Angela