From the Heart
Why is it that some days are easier when it comes to having patience?
This week the “patient somedays” were few and far between. It was just a hard week. I think I had every plate, saucer and platter spinning in my hands and head. At least it felt that way.
The Sunday afternoon drivers were out on the road every day. Many of them refused to use their turn signals. I could have been heard saying, “Seriously? C’mon, pedal faster. Did you not know there is an option called a turn signal?”
I seldom eat fast food, and the one day I did this week, I think they were growing the potatoes for my French fries. The car in front of me must have ordered a dozen full-meal deals. Ten minutes in the drive through with ONE car in front of me.
On Wednesday, I had both an optometrist and a family doctor appointment. I had to drive from 82nd street to downtown Noblesville to the Saxony Medical building during evening rush hour. I was pressed for time. I kept getting in the wrong lane, if you know what I mean? Always the slow lane, and of course I hit every red light on 146th Street.
I got to my appointment five minutes late. THEN I stood in line at the reception window for TEN minutes waiting in line. I kept thinking, I hope they don’t take my blood pressure. I don’t know what the gal in front of me was doing but it took 10 minutes. And then it was my turn.
As I walked up to the window, the gal working the desk looked so tired and frustrated. I smiled and said, “How are you today?” She looked bewildered. She answered me and said, “Thank you for your smile, you just made my day.”
She told me that it had been a rough day. I told her that I could relate. I told her that I hoped the nurse wasn’t going to take my blood pressure because it might be a tad bit high. We chatted a bit as I was the last patient. We both were chuckling when I walked away.
As I waited for the doctor I got to thinking. What if I had been grouchy to the lady at the window? What if I had not have smiled and asked her how she was doing? What if I had allowed the frustrations of my day to be spilled over onto her?
They say that the emotions we bottle up inside will spill over onto others. I’m not sure why I felt like smiling when I approached the window that day. While I usually smile a lot, I really didn’t feel like it that day, but I did it anyway.
And it made a difference, both for the gal at the window and for me.
I was in the mood to be grouchy and not very pleasant. BUT I made the decision to be nice and pleasant.
The gal thanked me again for my smile when I checked out after my appointment with the doctor.
And you know what? My blood pressure was normal, according to the nurse. I smiled as I walked to my car. And I hit all green lights on the way home.
A smile sure is good medicine for the soul.