Make Your Choice

A guest post by Jodi Naughton

Choose…

At least once every week, I go to my bank.  It’s a small branch – only one teller, no drive-up.  So, generally, I see the same teller every time and have for years.  But last week, I really saw her.

We’re both pretty talkative, so we’ve been on a first-name basis for years & share stories that are personal, maybe more than the average folks.  And I’ve certainly had the opportunity to simply observe her as I’ve had to wait in line with others for a bit since she’s the only person there.  Whether a customer is turning in loan paperwork, opening an account, or a simple deposit – this woman is always so cheerful & attentive, it’s really quite admirable in today’s world.  If you know me at all, you would know I am severely impatient, so it truly is a mark of impressiveness that I can just enjoy watching this teller devote all attention to the person she is serving, ignoring any and all behind.  I have never seen someone able to tune out the “noise of impatience” so beautifully.  

But, last week, she had received a phone call just before my turn at the counter.  It was clear that it was not business after all; something family related that was not exactly pleasant as I could see tears springing to her eyes – very unlike her.  She said she would call them back & turned to help her customers.  I did ask if she was ok, but what could she really say?  There was another line behind me & she was doing her utmost to be professional & courteous.  I didn’t push & left.

I did need to return the next day anyway, and this time, I was the only customer.  So then, she revealed to me the background information.   Without sharing details, I will only tell you it was simply a story of heart-break; some things arise throughout a lifetime with relatives, and her relative was still struggling with issues that spilled over to her.  With just a small bit of insight into what she had grown up with, I asked her – what makes you get through it, then?  You clearly make the choice to spread cheer and thankfulness in a way that you were not shown.  And that’s the answer, she said – I choose.  I choose every day to be happy.  I choose to be careful of others.  I choose to make it different than what I knew.  I choose to be the best of who I know I can be – in any big or small way.  

Make your choice; I hope you choose the best.

Jodi

Jodi Naughton is a Youth Life Coach & Motivational Speaker and the enthusiastic owner of I Want and I Will, LLC. You can visit Jodi online at http://iwantandiwill.com/