As we all know, most people these days live in a bubble. Social media, internet, whatever you want to call it, has caused us to enclose ourselves in our own little world where we check up on our lives through various platforms on social media. We contribute to society by "liking" things, "tagging" ideas, writing our opinions for all to see and speculate on (not unlike what I am doing now, so I am completely part of this world too). Overall, I have to say that social media is a GREAT way to make an impact, create change, show people we care, etc. but how many of us really take the time to try and impact society in the real world around us, on an every day basis? And I don't mean in a "Me to We big" kind of way. (Craig Keilburger was a giant influence on the way I started to teach, by the way. He's the one that made me stop and think about how I can make my tiny world a better place. See his website here). I'm talking about the small stuff. This idea, taking a minute and leaving our comfort zone to interact with others in a positive way, is what I started to try and impress on my impressionable class as a lifestyle change. It wasn't something I taught them, but it was something that the class and I would try to integrate into our daily routine. I can't take all the credit for this though. Not only did "Me to We" show me a different way to think, but I was heavily influenced by an amazing teacher that lives right here in London and does exactly this: She shows her class and people around her that life is so much more than the circle that they live in and create for themselves. She always showed them this concept in a way that inspired, lifted them up and encouraged people to try to make that positive impact in other's lives. You know who you are, my friend, and I am sending you a giant shoutout over cyberspace, along with your many, MANY fans.
So, what are these little things can have such a big impact? And how does it affect our city? Let's think about "paying it forward." (Great movie, by the way. Also a game changer for me). For instance, I was just on Facebook (naturally!) and someone had posted that they were at a Tim Horton's and the person in front of them had paid for their coffee. That simple act brightened their day enough to post about it on social media. And you can bet that person will have an extra lift to their step today, and might even pay the favour on to someone else. We've heard about this concept many times over, but it really never gets old, does it? The same thing happened to me. It was morning rush hour, the usual London traffic was inching it's way through the city, and people were extra crabby that particular day. I drove into my local Tim's, and saw that the lineup for the drive through was insane. I sighed and braced myself for a long wait and lots of grumbling. I saw a lady in her car pull up to another part of the drive through that sort of leads to a driveway (if you know the Sherwood Forest Tim's, you'll know what I'm talking about). Anyway, usually when people try to sneak into the drive through using this route it gets them a LOT of honking and stares because technically it's like cutting in. I sighed and waved this lady through and let her "butt" in front of me. I shrugged my shoulders at the car next to me, that honked indignantly. Long story short, when I got to the window to pay, the lady who I had let through had paid for my coffee and told the cashier to tell me THANKS. I smiled and immediately felt remorse for gritting my teeth and grumbling about her. I drove along thinking that maybe it's not so bad to take 5 seconds and help someone out. Even if it's a silly gesture like letting someone in at a drive through. Ok, so most of the a time you're not going to get a free coffee out of the deal, but doing that deed of kindness does make you feel pretty darn good. And that's what it's all about, I think.
I find that Londoners are pretty good for this. I mean, it doesn't occur everywhere I look, but it still happens. Little tiny things that make you go "hey, life isn't all that bad, is it?" Know that guy who waits at the median for money at the busy intersection? Maybe that extra doughnut you got as an indulgence could go to this guy. Granted, I've done this kind of thing before and got the exact opposite of gratitude from these people - hey, I don't always have an extra toonie hanging around, in this day of credit and debit. The kind gestures don't have to be monetary: Holding the door for a mom who's got her hands full with a stroller and toddler, asking if that older gentleman would like help with his grocery bags, or even just smiling at someone when they look at you (most of us are so busy looking down at our phones, or away from actual faces... it's amazing what a smile can do) all these things are so simple and yet have a great impact on our outlook on life. It makes someone's day a tiny bit more rosy.
I usually think a lot about giving back during the Christmas holidays - when the time of need is great in our community and lots of people could use an extra hand or heart (figuratively speaking of course). But why not extend this way of thinking throughout the year? Why can't we as Londoner's always take a quick second to say "how can I make this situation a bit better?" And again, I'm not talking about a huge change, I'm talking about the little things. Because in the end, it's all about the little things anyway, right?
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| Google image taken from sweetsharings.com |
Have a great day, London :)
A funny thing happened to me in a Tim Horton’s drive-through as well. I suppose it was a ‘pay it forward’ moment of sorts . . .
ReplyDeleteThis was a few years ago now. It was a long line, much like your story. No, I didn’t let anyone in. There’s no cheater lane at the Timmy’s on Highbury, so everyone queues in an orderly fashion. I’m not certain I would have let anyone in either, as I’m very aware of line-up etiquette. This isn’t that kind of story. I commend you, by the way, for letting that lady in. I always knew you were a good soul.
It was a long and painfully slow line. I think it was hot too, but I can’t be sure . . . When we’re almost there, almost at the window, only two cars left, the guy in front of the guy in front of me (the car that is now at the window) is taking an excruciatingly long time to pay. He is taking soooo long. I believe I may have uttered a Holy Moly, or something like that, concerning just how long he was taking. Turns out the gentleman in front of me also notices, and he SNAPS!!!! He starts to madly and angrily honk his horn. To tell you the truth, it was a little scary in its aggression. Remember, this is the guy in front of me freaking out.
We finally move forward, and Road Rage has settled himself down. When Road Rage goes to pay, he leans out his window, and just at the right time, he drops his money beside his car. It wasn’t bills either. Road Rage dumps a handful of change between him and the window -- muahahahaha.
I’ve actually done this myself (dropped my money as I’m going to pay), and when I did it, the nice person serving me told me not to worry about it; they would collect the change when it got slow. Not this guy. Nope, the person who was working the window watched as Road Rage had to put his car in park and slunk down and gather his change.
I’m not a brave man, and I don’t like confrontation. But . . . Every once and a while, the Universe challenges you, and, every once and a while, the Universe will present you with a perfect moment. These moments don’t happen often, and you’ll know it when it hits you. This was my moment. With my heart pounding in my ears, as I watch Road Rage bending down between the car and the serving window, I accepted the challenge presented me by the Universe, and I honk my horn as loudly and as ironically as I can.
Dude, I thought I was going to die. I thought Road Rage would attack. I pictured Michael Douglas in Falling Down, but nothing happened. He gathered his change, paid, and moved on . . .
The guy working the window liked my sense of irony, and he and I shared a laugh at Road Rage’s expense. In my mind we high-fived. Yeah, I paid it forward – kind of.
Karma...it's all about karma...I am mentally high fiving you myself, friend ;)
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