The Receptionist and The Dog
From each and every person God puts on our life’s path, we can learn something.
We can learn how we would like to be; we can become inspired, moved, and motivated to emulate the wonderful characteristics and qualities of a particular person who has made a lasting impression on us. Perhaps the individual makes it a point to remember the names of others; perhaps the person is funny, kind, or patient; perhaps that halo-sporting angel on earth makes it seem so effortless and simple to go above and beyond what someone else would (or would not) do to help another — to make the day, the way, a little brighter, a little better for someone else. Once we’ve met someone like this on our life’s path, he/she forever becomes a part of who we are — whether intentionally or subconsciously. He/she brings out the best in us. People like this make us feel real, significant, important, and of value. We like to be around them because they are authentic, trustworthy, sincere, and down-to-earth.
We can also learn from all the Donna Downer receptionists in the world. These are the individuals with whom we would just naturally think would go out of their way (because of the role or position in which God has placed them) to acknowledge the existence of others, to show compassion, to be happy to be alive, employed, and in a position to greet those entering a facility in the wee hours of the morning or leaving the facility during the dark of the night. What we can learn from the Donna Downers of the world is how we do not want to ever be in our lives. We learn how we never want to treat others. We learn how not to be.
We don’t live on islands. We have a responsibility — for our own well-being and for the well-being of others — to be the absolute best we can be every moment of every day with every person on our life’s path. There are no mulligans in life. There are no do-overs. If we treat others how we would like to be treated, if we use the same tone when we speak as we would like others to use with us, if we make each and every person feel like they matter (and they do), imagine how awesome, wonderful, joy-filled, and inspired (to be more and do more) we would all be!
If the Donna Downers in the world could just get out of their own way, they would see that by accepting the role of “receptionist” (or doctor, lawyer, Indian Chief, cashier, gardener, teacher, maintenance man, sales associate, shopper, bus rider, etc.) they are required (as human beings) to be compassionate, caring, and kind.
If you are employed — part of your job description (whether told to you specificially or inferred) is to be the absolute best “you” possible and to treat others exactly as you want to be treated. No one wants to hear about how much you hate your job, how tired you are of working, or how you can’t wait to get out of the workplace. No one wants to hear that — ever (well, except maybe your resume writer8) Your husband doesn’t want to hear it, your kids don’t want to hear it, your friends don’t want to hear it, your colleagues don’t want to hear it, and FOR SURE your clients don’t want to hear it! Even though you may never verbalize those feelings, they often show themselves through your actions, your body language, and your energy. If you volunteer somewhere or interact with others anywhere (the grocery store, the gas station, facebook, wherever) be the best you — in every photo, in every comment shared, in every choice made.
How will you know?
Simple.
Ask yourself: Are others learning from me how not to be or how they aspire to be?
Fortunately (and perhaps ironically), along with the Donna Downers out there disguised as receptionists, God always puts their nemesis nearby. In addition to Donna Downer taking up space at the entranceway of a business, surely there is also a remarkable dog nearby — perhaps a black labrador named Oscar. So now when folks enter any particular place of business on any particular day of the week, they are drawn to Oscar; he hears in their tone and through their smiles how hapy they are to see him; he wags his tail in mutual affirmation and appreciation. These days people know to stroll right past the receptionist desk and into the paws of one of God’s most awesome creatures.
We learn from others (dogs included) every day exactly how we want to be and how we never want to be.
