I came across an article by Frank Martela on cnbc.com which points out that Finland has been named the happiest country in the world by the World Happiness Report for the fifth year in a row.
I came across a story on Facebook about Jumbo, a Netherlands based supermarket chain. The company introduced a slow checkout line in some of its stores—referred to as a Kletskassa or “chat checkout”—when it discovered that some customers are not in a rush and would enjoy talking to the cashier while paying for their groceries.
I came across the following quote on Facebook: “Cheers to all the people who can change their minds when presented with information that contradicts their beliefs.” This is what having an open mind is all about-a willingness to consider new information, fresh ideas, and new ways of doing things even if they run counter to your beliefs.
I came across a story by Ryan Katz and Tara Boyle posted on npr.org that dealt with Stephanie Cole’s first day on her very first job as a teenager. It was the height of the Christmas shopping rush, and she was working as a retail clerk in a busy department store in Los Angeles during the 1960s.
On December 23rd, Alexander and Andrea Campagna were inside their home during the height of the snowstorm that was burying Buffalo, New York when there was a knock on their door. Outside were nine Korean tourists and their driver who were traveling from Washington, D.C. to Niagara Falls. Their tour bus was stuck in the…
I saw the following quote on Facebook, and I think it’s an excellent way to determine what kind of day you’ve had: “If you can lie down at night, knowing in your heart that you made someone’s day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.” It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day better—a smile, a kind word, a hug, a compliment or just listening to what another person has to say. If you do these simple but caring things, you’ll not only make the world a better place, but you’ll feel better about yourself and sleep better as well.
The last thing you want to do when someone cuts you off in traffic, doesn’t say thank you or doesn’t hold a door open for you, is to take it personally. Keep in mind that such behavior is not directed at you, it’s directed at the world.
I came across the following quote on Facebook that caused me to stop and think: “No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all.” In other words, how you treat others tells those around you who you really are.
I was in Lowe’s looking to purchase some fire starters to use in our fireplace. I had no idea where to look and Lowe’s is a very large store. Just then, a Lowe’s employee who seemed to be in a hurry, walked by. I said, “Excuse me, could you tell me where I could find the fire starters?” She said, “I think it’s aisle 28,” and kept walking. I then said, “See, some men do ask for directions.”
As I was walking toward my favorite casual restaurant, I couldn’t help but overhear one end of a cell phone conversation. A woman was speaking to a friend, and she was obviously frustrated because she was speaking loudly and directly.