Greetings!
In the parking lot of a store, I unloaded bags of grocery into the trunk of my car. I made a little noise as I tried to lift the 24-pack bottles of water from the shopping cart. A young woman about 30 feet away immediately asked if I needed help. She and a man about her age were talking to an older man. With a joyful smile, I said, "No, thank you!" Later, I walked over there and thanked her for her kindness.
I met kind people all the time.
One afternoon, the mail carrier also offered to help me carrying the groceries. One day, a young woman who happened to walk by wanted to help me too. On another day, a young man who lived in another building wanted to help me as well. He was nice and polite. Their kindness made my day. On those occasions, I talked to them for a short while thanking them for being so kind, and sent them blessings in my heart as we parted ways.
One day in a store, a man is his 40 s seemed to be following me in a distance. He dressed like someone who worked in an office. I kind of looked back at him. I sensed no ill intention. On his face was a delightful smile as if he saw something in me. At one point, I stopped to look at some items on the top shelf. He quickly walked forward. I got it he wanted to help me to get what I wanted to buy from the top shelf. So I asked for his help. He gladly got it for me. Joyfully, he walked away and did not follow me anymore.
Years ago, I rarely asked for help to get something that I could not reach. If I could not get something from the top, I might use another item to bring it down and catch it with my hand. However, I had learned to allow others to help me was also a service. (Re Helping others and allowing others to help you can both be a source of joy )
Whenever I needed help in a store, I usually asked someone that looked friendly or cheerful. One day while I was pondering who I should ask to help me, I saw a man walked past me. He was tall and slim. On his face was a look of gloomy as if he was depressed or sad. I called out to him, "Sir, would you please help me . . ." He walked back and got me two frozen TV dinners from the top shelf. I looked into his eyes and said truthfully, "Thank you very much for your help." We soon came across each other in the next lane. I was glad to see that the gloominess on his face was gone! We greeted each other with a smile.
One day, I was on my way out of a store. I saw a store employee sitting on a bench by the customer service center. He was a senior like me, and was probably taking a break. He looked very tired. He took out a small towel to wipe the sweats on his face. In my heart, I sent him blessings. To my surprise, he seemed to hear what I said in my heart. He stopped in the midst of wiping his sweats. He looked at me and said, "Thank you, thank you, Madam! May you have a blessed day too!" (It reminded me of other occasions where people actually received my thought. See Is our thought a secret known only to ourselves )
After the incidents in Who smiles? Who sees? , I allowed myself to smile more. Recently I had an amazing experience. As a mother and grandmother, I loved seeing families with children that happily shopped in stores. I saw a family of three generations (grandparents, parents and two small children). I smiled at this family. They happened to notice that. All of them, young and old, looked at me and let out the most wonderful smiles! I still remembered the light in their eyes and their total smiles. Thank you for the gift.
Autumn is here. Earth / the world is going through many changes. Take care.
Many Blessings,
Q of D
