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Attitude; Encouragement; Post Office; Human Thermostat

You Are a Human Thermostat

December 25, 2015

Mail a package at the Post Office.  What’s your reaction when that’s on your to-do list for the day?
 
Do you grimace and brace yourself for long lines and less-than-optimal customer service? Or do you smile with anticipation that your day is about to get a little brighter?
 
I smile, because I know I’m likely to see my friends, June and Rhonda. They are Window Clerks at my local Post Office in Marietta, Georgia. And they should be used as role models for great customer service for the entire USPS. 

Since I launched Leave Nothing Unsaid in 2013, I’ve made a lot of trips to the Post Office.  A lot.
 
The design of the Leave Nothing Unsaid workbook necessitates mailing it in a box instead of a padded envelope to protect the spine. (Yes, this was a post-printing surprise.)
 
And every bit of media coverage, whether TV or print, has driven increased workbook sales. (A source of immense gratitude.) Although some workbooks are ordered from Amazon, most are purchased directly from the Leave Nothing Unsaid website.

To date, in addition to speaking, writing, helping hospice patients, and developing a strategic plan to grow my business, I’ve also been the one who tapes up the boxes, fills the orders, and takes them to the Post Office for mailing. (Yes, being a small business owner is a very glamorous life.)
 

(I wonder why the people behind me in line didn’t seem too happy?) 
 
We all know that postal rates continue to rise. So I offer my customers two choices for shipping: either via Priority Mail or Media Mail, which is significantly less expensive and much slower. (Media Mail goes by way of the Moon, I think) I consider integrity important in both the big and little things of life, and am faithful to follow the rules for shipping something by Media Mail.
 
Over the last several years, I’ve established a wonderful working relationship with June and Rhonda. They have expressed interest in the mission of Leave Nothing Unsaid, and have cheered me on with every little bit of progress that has been made.  They trust me when I say a package qualifies for Media Mail. And with each of my many visits, they seem genuinely glad to see me, consistently infusing joy into my day.
 
Recently, I was thinking about the many people who are part of the Leave Nothing Unsaid “team,” and I thought gratefully about June and Rhonda.
 
And I realized that each of us can be a difference maker like they are.
 
In essence, we are all like human thermostats:
 

  • A thermostat controls the temperature in its environment. So do we. Whether we choose to be positive and upbeat or negative and cynical, our demeanor affects those around us.
  • A thermostat’s setting can change. So can our attitude. It’s one of the few things in life over which we have complete control. No matter how difficult our life circumstances, we have a choice about whether to focus on others or on ourselves. On whether to smile or to frown. On whether to encourage another or to host our own pity party.
  • A thermostat influences it’s own zone. Remember that. You might be in a toxic work environment or have a family member who is 100% negative. That’s their zone. But another’s anger or negativism is their choice. Being a positive influence is who you were created to be.

 
Who, in your world, warms the environment? Have you ever told them “thank you?” If not, I hope you’ll do that soon…and I pray that you will be intentional about being a “human thermostat” and warming your world.
 
Thank you, June and Rhonda, for being an example for all of us. And for brightening my world.