Good evening to each and every one of you absolutely beautiful individuals. My sincere apologies for my one day delay, I spent my Sunday in wild and wonderful West Virginia at another store in my district working on inventory. I will sum up that experience as: a real treat. Inventory is always an experience and on this particular occasion, nearly half of the RGIS staff was named Bruce. So, that was that. Luckily for me, I will take part in my own store's inventory this weekend and relive the experience all over again.
I'd like to take this time to personally thank Jesse for sarcastically telling the entire Morgantown staff that I am a selfish girl that always complains about her life and puts all of my problems on everyone else. I'm glad that you think your lies are funny because I know 100% of those people thought that you were serious.
On Saturday morning I took part in the Pineapple 5K to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and it was truly an amazing event. The race featured different obstacles throughout the course and I spent a great deal of time picking mud out of my hair and private parts after the race. In fact, I drove home in undies and a sports bra in an effort to not ruin the seats in the Jetta: crisis averted. In the end, cleaning up mud and driving home nearly naked is a small challenge compared to the challenges that those infected with cancer face. At the end of the race, participants heard from the "Pineapple Prince," an eight-year-old boy battling leukemia. The boy and his mother talked about their struggles with the disease and it really gave me some perspective on my own life. Their thankfulness and gratitude was heartwarming. This family was genuinely thankful for everyone that participated in the event. I encourage everyone to read Mario's story here.
A couple of hours after the race, I found myself in Starbucks behind a young woman in a military uniform. Once she ordered her drink, I tapped her on the shoulder and let her know that I would be paying for her coffee. She said "no that's okay" two or three times but I don't think I need to mention who won the battle of the bids. Afterwards she thanked me over and over again. Her iced coffee was $2.89. I spent less than three dollars on a woman that has devoted her life to ensure our freedom and she thanked me. She was grateful for my random act of kindness, even though she does so much for a country full of people that she doesn't even know.
Later that day, a young girl came into my store with her father in search of a dress. The young girl was nine, seemed very ill, and was confined to a wheelchair. One of my associates, Brittney, helped the girl to pick a dress. A bit later, Brittney was in the mall on her break and she saw the young girl and her father. The girl's father approached Brittney and thanked her for helping his daughter. He told Brittney that his daughter was on the liver transplant list and that she was very ill. To this nine-year-old, Brittney helping her find a dress made her day.
All of the above are examples of how complete strangers can be so appreciative of the smallest acts of kindness. Unfortunately, not everyone is as thankful as the aforementioned individuals.
There are some people in the world that simply can't be pleased. There are some people that think they are better than everyone else, feel like they are deserving of everything that the world can offer them, and will never thank anyone for anything ever.
For the betterment of your own life, do not aim to please those people. They will never be grateful for what you do for them, no matter what, ever.
Some people are only in it to win it for themselves, and if they can't achieve their goals, they will find someone else to blame it on. Sadly enough, when they fail, they attempt to take other people down with them. Don't let these people get the best of you.
Instead of wasting time attempting to please then un-pleasable, spend your time doing good for people that appreciate every aspect of your compassion. Life is too short to chase after people and bend over backwards for them knowing damn well that they will never be appreciative of your generosity.
It's absolutely pathetic that an eight-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a military personnel with a three dollar treat can appreciate life more than someone that has had absolutely everything handed to them and still believes that they deserve more. I think it's time to look at the big picture.
Here's to giving all we can to the appreciative,
and hoping that the un-pleaseable figure it out some day (or move far far away)
As always,
Xoxo
