Giving is not always physical

This month I am trying to do something to give back to the world around me every day. It's not always easy.

At first, I thought giving meant that I had to physically give up something. Money, clothes, food, etc. Then I realized that sometimes giving is not always physical.

Lately at work I have found that people have really been testing my limits. How far can they push not doing their job without me saying anything. Being a supervisor, I have to make sure that I am doing what is best for those I supervise and the operation around me. I have found myself getting frustrated and irritated by the tests that people place in front of me on a daily basis.

In going with the theme of my month of giving, I decided that I would simply be happy, no mater what is thrown at me, when I am at work. I will go through my entire day with a smile. I will ask people how their day is or if there is anything I can do for them to help them make their day easier.

Since I started doing this, I often find myself just doing things that people have told me, make their jobs easier. I will do some small tasks that will help them get their tasks done quicker. I will go out of my way to make the work area cleaner or tidier.

I have also learned the value of a smile. A smile is the simplest form of happiness. It also happens to be extremely contagious. By smiling throughout my entire day, others begin to smile. I also look approachable. I find that I am having better conversations and that things are progressing more.

Are there still people who cause me frustration at work? Of course. Do I let it get to me? Not as much as I used to.

Free coffee for voters

I've done many different things to give these past 6 days. I will write a separate post to catch everyone up on days 2-5 later.

I want to share what I did today.

This morning I got up at 7 and got to the polls at 8:20. After spending 2 hrs in a chilly rain, I finally got to vote. I expected a wait so I brought a book and some coffee. Others did not and spent the time on their phones or daydreaming.

After I voted I decided to put a little cheer in the line.

I drove to the nearest Starbucks and bought 2 boxes of coffee. The lady told me it would serve 24 but I insisted she give me extra cups. I headed back to the polls.

I hopped out of my car and started in the back of the line, they would be waiting the longest. And I started asking people if they wanted free coffee. Some were skeptical and some thought I was trying to sell Starbucks, but finally someone asked me, "how much?"

I replied, "It's free. I spent two hrs in the rain this morning waiting to vote. I wanted to make the wait a little easier for others."

Once people heard that they were a little more accepting. I was able to give out 30 cups of coffee and I still have half a box left. I was even called a "coffee angel".

My friend Ryan was in line and snapped this picture. I posted it to Facebook with this:

After spending 2 hrs waiting in line to vote today, I decided that I would buy some coffee for everyone else who ha to wait 2+ hrs in line. I bought 2 Starbucks boxes of coffee and sure it may have cost me about $30. But I made 30 people in that long line happy. Sure I may not be going to Jellyrolls, or out to eat, or even getting those colored napkins for my wedding, but I really made an impression on people.

Not everyone gets the right to vote. We do. So I just wanted to say thank you for everyone taking a few hours out of their day to vote.

Happy Election Day!