johnmdemarco posted on March 16, 2010 11:41
“You go first. You seem like you’re in a hurry.”
The tall, lanky white-haired gentleman was the epitome of class and dignity. He smiled warmly, holding his two cases of soda in his hands, in front of the cash register at Publix. The gentleman had clearly arrived at the checkout lane well ahead of me, but was conscious enough of his surroundings to detect my approaching demeanor and offer a gesture of generosity—which I suspect, for him, came quite naturally.
Indeed, I was in a typical hurry, having completed an early workout at the gym and stopping by the store to pick up a few items before returning home and getting ready for work. I was lost in my own thoughts, focused on the task of selecting and purchasing the three items I needed. When I noticed the older gentleman, I assumed by instinct that he was going to be in line in front of me; his offer for me to “cut in” literally stopped me in my tracks, humbled me and produced an easy smile.
“It’s that obvious, isn’t it?” I responded after he waved off my attempt to refuse his offer; clearly he was determined that his gift of a few extra seconds of time be received. I had some quick banter with the cashier, and smiled an expression of thanks again at the soda buyer as I left the checkout lane and headed toward the exit of the store.
You cannot NOT communicate, one of my graduate school professors had told our class some 12 years ago. This wisdom has never fully left me, but I am not always self-aware of what I happen to be communicating in a given moment.
The tendency that each of us has to intensely focus on our particular agenda is sometimes pointed out to us by others, and not always in a positive manner. This gentleman highlighted mine in the most graceful of interactions, exuding compassion rather than annoyance at my driven ego.
One fleeting, grace-filled gesture of service can set the tone for a full day. I hope each day to offer one back to someone else, during a moment of consciousness toward my surroundings.