Do you ever run through the errands of the day and find that you were so focused on your ‘to do’ list that you breeze right by people? I find the tighter my schedule is booked the less room I have to greet or simply be polite. It simply doesn’t cross my mind with my tasks getting full focus.
And then I go to Aldis.
Ever been there? It’s a bag-your-own-stuff discount grocery store with some pretty good deals. There is a catch though; if you want a shopping cart, you need to pump a quarter into a contraption on the cart. You do get the quarter back at the end of your shopping trip.
Pulling up, I have to start my search for a quarter within my vehicle. Then I try to give my quarter to someone else who is done with their cart and likely not very interested in walking all the way over to the cart corral. I have had people not even take the quarter I ‘owe them’ because it was passed on to them from the person before. Others have offered me 2 dimes and 1 nickel in trade because they couldn’t find a quarter in their car. I have made eye contact, smiled, and engaged in a tiny bit of a conversation because of this quarter-cart arrangement. Everyone is pretty friendly and willing to smile and it can have a positive impact on your day. I really don’t do this any place but at Aldis because there isn’t that commonality of the quarter involved.
Extending kindness often doesn’t cost anything, just a little time.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
If you have never been to Aldis, I suggest you give it a shot. There are some great deals to be had there. You might just end up saving money on your grocery bill, meet a smiling face, engage in some pleasant human interaction…
… and someone may let you keep their quarter too!
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