Can We Be Thoughtful?

Can We Be Thoughtful?

I was walking out of my local Y this morning after yoga class.  Full of amazing sensations running through my body and thinking, what a great way to start the day when, BAM! a guy stopped dead in his tracks to sip his coffee.  Took all of my energy to not knock him forwards and I pirouetted out of the way thinking why did he do that?  I was ready to make a comment or at least a heavy sigh when it dawned on me that we all do those sorts of things at times.

So, I got to thinking on the ride home, what could we do that would be considered “thoughtful”?  Here’s my list:

1. If you need to stop while walking in a hallway, move to your right just as you would while driving a car or riding a bike.
2. Hold the door for someone behind you, even if they are 10 feet away.  And remember to smile!
3. When you make eye contact with a stranger, smile and acknowledge them with a greeting or a nod.
4. Realize that the person walking or driving in front of you may be lost or confused when they are moving slowly(or following the speed limit…).
5. Learn to practice saying please and thank you. Often.  No matter how small the effort made by others, thanking encourages good behavior and manners.
6. If someone waves you on, acknowledge with a return wave or mouth thank you.
7. After saying, “excuse me”, wait a bit for the person to move before you move.
8. Offer to help someone when help looks needed but not asked for.
9. Don’t text or look at your phone while another person is talking to you.
10. If you hire a repair person or someone to install a new appliance/repair, offer a drink while they are working; a cup of coffee or a glass of iced water/tea is often greatly appreciated.
11. Acknowledge  the person who is waving you through a road under construction.  They are just doing their job.  Don’t make it personal.
12. In line at a store, when a new register opens and the cashier says, “next person please”, don’t cut in front of those ahead of you.
13. Don’t leave clothing in a fitting room floor.  The sales people will pick it up and place it on a hangar but do you want to be the next person trying on a new piece of clothing that was on the floor?
14.  Parents with strollers:  think before blindly moving your device in a crowd.
15.  Say hello or at least smile at the person at the check out counter.

 Think: how would you like others to act if in your situation?  Do likewise.

It seems to me that we’re in this world together and somehow, we expect to be treated with respect, but sometimes we forget that thoughtfulness costs nothing and goes a long way.  I challenge you to practice some thoughtfulness today.

Any suggestions to add to the list?