Smile and Wave!

April 26th, 2012

I drop my son Nicholas off at school in the mornings and in doing so I have to go through a car pool line. At the stop where he gets off there are a line of teachers waiting to escort the kids out of the cars and into the buildings.

I noticed at the beginning of this year, one particular lady was very intentional about smiling and waving to everyone. It wasn’t always like this in the line, but she brought a new level of enthusiasm to helping with the kids and it’s been refreshing to watch.

Now, here we are its almost summer time and she hasn’t stopped smiling and waving; and as you can imagine this had an interesting affect on others. Her enthusiasm is contagious and the ones who stand in her section of the car pool seem to have adopted the same attitude. Once my car gets closer to that spot, I always get a smile and a wave whether I initiate the wave or not.

I love watching this contagious affect of positive energy and as you can really tell, she loves her job; and if she doesn’t then she’s a darn good faker.

The way I see it, it only takes one; just one individual with the right attitude. By there example they can ignite a powerful transformation in their surrounding world.

Two things that I’m reminded of that we can always do if we want to see more successes.

Surround ourselves with people who help us come alive.
Be the spark that helps everyone else come alive.

Sure we can choose, but I say be both! Be the spark and seek the greatest.

Just smile and wave!

___________________________

Like what you’re seeing here? Click Here

Did you like this? Share it:

http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

Rob,
Great challenge to be the spark, be the catalyst for positive change.
That’s great to hear that this woman rubbed off on those around her and not the other way around.
Anonymous

Thanks Michael… It’s very cool to witness. I was dropping my oldest off to school this morning as well, and I couldn’t help but notice a student with that high-spark-gardenia-expression… She looked very excited to be there, and I was thinking “Wow” I know she has got to be rubbing off that good attitude on a lot of people.
http://www.threedimensionalvitality.com/ Ann J Musico

How simple is that? Just smile and wave!! I love that Rob. “The way I see it, it only takes one; just one individual with the right attitude.” So true – and we always have the opportunity and privilege of being that one person – the spark! It takes very little effort – so there’s really no excuse. Great reminder.
http://www.fatherofone.com/ Michael Wright

Rob, being we are part of the same car rider drop off - have you noticed the 1st two teachers you reach always have frowns, never smile? OK, they are standing right there together. I’ve tried smiles, waves with them – nothing works! (If you’re not getting this, maybe I need to get some smile tips from 180Coach – I’m doing something wrong!!)

Now, you get to the far end of the car lane and the other two teachers are standing together – Smiles & Waves a-plenty! They comment on my daughter’s clothes, her hair accessories, say good morning, etc…Interesting how there is this great chasm of optimism in just 100 ft apart!

I tell my wife this is the difference between the job lovers and job haters! Whenever we have a concern at school and we talk with our girl’s teacher, her first comment is that EVERY teacher loves to be at that school – then I tell her to go inform the two in car riders that they love being there! HAHA

Great post! Oh, and I noticed this morning that one of the kids gave one of them a gift! Smiling pays off!
Anonymous

Yes, Yes, and Yes! I was wondering what you thought about that… The first two always appear depressed about being there. The last two ladies just a 100 feet away are full of excitement and cheer! I love those 2 ladies… Yep, big difference between the job lovers and job haters; or the difference between the people who make their day and those who loathe their day.
Anonymous

Thanks Ann! You know it reminds me growing up and especially in my grandparents neighborhood, “everyone” smiled and waved to each other, Everyone… It’s like they all knew you… Now, it seems to be less frequent in certain parts. People are so busy with other things on their minds, and their worries, concerns, and fears, that they’ve lost that touch with the people around. A simple smile and wave goes a long way, and I think brings a community together.
http://designercam.com/ Cam

Just seeing a picture of the Madagascar penguins makes me smile. Thanks for a great picture!
Anonymous

You bet Cam! Yeah those guys are hilarious…