Sunday, December 12, 2004
They Liked Me :$
Did you ever realize a group of people like you? I mean really like you? How embarrassing!
We had a department move from an off-site location to our building. The company converted a huge windowless space into little work pods. False rumors rampaged through our many departments that there wouldn’t be enough parking since the new group had earlier shifts. The day finally came for the big move-in. And not one welcoming banner, plate of donuts, or friendly face greeted them. Kind of like being the new kid in a school of cliques. Just awful for them.
People did peek their heads into the new department to see, to look, but not to smile or say “Hi” or tell them anything about where restaurants and shopping are handily located.
On their first day, I happened to overhear a group talk about how they didn’t like sitting near the door because they were getting stared at all day. And how they had heard no one wanted them there.
I started sitting with them at breaks. Every day, when possible.
And after a while, I have grown to realize how much I appreciate them. My face is better for it.
I have laugh lines and eye twinkles and lots of good jokes and stories from this new department. And, I have to admit, I have given them a few chuckles in return. They really know how to break. In fact, now-a-days, if the break room is empty during my break time, I just return to my desk. They have spoiled me that much.
So when I had to go back into their department during regular work time, I was amazed and really taken aback by them. Every one of them brighten up when they saw me, each wanting eye contact and conversation, and surprisingly stressful things like that.
It is amazing how a little kindness and respect can affect all of us?.
Flipping through the channels the other day, I caught a bit of Dr. Wayne Dyer on the PBS channel. He said there have been studies done that prove an act of kindness actually does three things!
1--Increases the endorphin levels of the doer. 2--Increases the endorphin levels of the receiver. And 3--Increases the endorphin levels of any witnesses!
Isn’t it remarkable how little it takes to make the world a happier place?
Did you ever realize a group of people like you? I mean really like you? How embarrassing!
We had a department move from an off-site location to our building. The company converted a huge windowless space into little work pods. False rumors rampaged through our many departments that there wouldn’t be enough parking since the new group had earlier shifts. The day finally came for the big move-in. And not one welcoming banner, plate of donuts, or friendly face greeted them. Kind of like being the new kid in a school of cliques. Just awful for them.
People did peek their heads into the new department to see, to look, but not to smile or say “Hi” or tell them anything about where restaurants and shopping are handily located.
On their first day, I happened to overhear a group talk about how they didn’t like sitting near the door because they were getting stared at all day. And how they had heard no one wanted them there.
I started sitting with them at breaks. Every day, when possible.
And after a while, I have grown to realize how much I appreciate them. My face is better for it.
I have laugh lines and eye twinkles and lots of good jokes and stories from this new department. And, I have to admit, I have given them a few chuckles in return. They really know how to break. In fact, now-a-days, if the break room is empty during my break time, I just return to my desk. They have spoiled me that much.
So when I had to go back into their department during regular work time, I was amazed and really taken aback by them. Every one of them brighten up when they saw me, each wanting eye contact and conversation, and surprisingly stressful things like that.
It is amazing how a little kindness and respect can affect all of us?.
Flipping through the channels the other day, I caught a bit of Dr. Wayne Dyer on the PBS channel. He said there have been studies done that prove an act of kindness actually does three things!
1--Increases the endorphin levels of the doer. 2--Increases the endorphin levels of the receiver. And 3--Increases the endorphin levels of any witnesses!
Isn’t it remarkable how little it takes to make the world a happier place?
