This story was sent to me from Tammy Ramsay after I spoke in the Battlefords, Saskatchewan, Canada. I shared with them a simple strategy to remember to appreciate people every day: Put five pennies in your right pocket when you leave for work in the morning. Every time you thank someone, you move a penny from your right to your left pocket. You do not go home at night until all five pennies are in your right pocket. It is fun to share with your family and others the stories of whom you thanked.
Dear Barbara,
It was an absolute pleasure meeting you in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Your inspirational stories were wonderful, and I carry them close to my heart. I loved the 5 penny idea and have made it a personal quest of mine to act out each day. Already I see the hearts of those who are hurting smile when they see me walk their way, I often giggle inside in anticipation as I wait to act out my next penny move.
For example. last week I stopped in at a local grocery store to pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers for a wonderful lady I knew. There were only three tills opened and the line ups were honestly half way down the aisles. I overheard the cashiers talking that an employee had not shown up for his last shift. The older lady cashier that was running the line I was in was definitely over worked and stressed. She had forgot to give the gentleman ( I use the term loosely) his change and was so flustered by his rolling of the eyes that she needed a calculator to figure out she owed him three dollars.
By time I got up to the till her lovely eyes were swimming in tears. By that time, I had waited about 15 – 20 minutes in line. She rang me through and thanked me for shopping at the store. I then turned to her as she was about to start the next transaction and said, “Excuse me. I would like to tell you something.” You could have heard a pin drop. All the cashiers stopped what they were doing and looked over in wait of what they thought was going to be an explosion.
I then proceeded to take some fresh flowers out of the bouquet and hand them to her. I told her, “THANK YOU for doing such a great job getting me served quickly. I appreciate the stress you are under,” and then told her she had done a great job. Tears rolled down her face and a grin a mile wide covered that weathered face. As I walked out, I am sure I hard her humming as she worked!
I left with so much more than a bouquet of flowers. Thank you, Barbara! You gave me something so much more than a seminar. You gave me a hope in mankind, that we CAN change the world….. one penny at a time.
Who will you give your pennies to? Tell us your stories.
