May 5 - Postal Support

Day 125 of a year of Kindness

Late this afternoon, I had to go to the post office. I ran from the rain and into the lobby. I was the only one inside when I went to the counter to mail a package and get some stamps. The postal worker who greeted me looked as miserable as the rain. I asked her how she was doing and she told me. I listened intently to every bad, horrible happening including broken machines, long lines of customers, a new employee she wasn’t prepared to train and some lost documents. I also realized that I didn’t know her name even though I had been there many times. 

So after she shared her troubles, and I shared in her frustration, I introduced myself. She laughed and said she knew my name - it was right there on the package! So, I asked for her name and she said it was right in front of me hanging from the postal machine. That made us both laugh. A few customers came in so it was time for me to go. As I turned to leave, I said a chipper goodbye using her name and heard her laughing as I left.

Science of kindness: Science reveals that just listening to someone is kind. Asking someone how they are doing and paying attention to the answer validates their feelings, offers comfort and support and doesn’t require a solution. It can also make them feel better. #kindnessiscontagious #kindnessisfree #kindness #justlisten