Thought for the day: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. In the last few weeks I’ve been overwhelmed with the kindness gifted to our family as we attempt to navigate the uncharted waters of working with hospice as we approach the end of Dad’s hard fought battle with Parkinson’s disease. Our friends, family and hospice team have been amazing, and their kindness has been the support we continue to lean on to stay upright and on course.
I’ve been equally grateful for the kindness of strangers, those individuals and businesses who don’t have a clue what is going on in our lives. I imagine that many of the businesses and people I work with have this mantra in their customer service handbook or plastered in the breakroom, because they and their teams demonstrate this behavior regularly.
I’ve also been horrified by the cold and rude behavior from people in the death business. I guess I expect a little better from funeral home staff since this is, after all, their business.
If I were to draw a business lesson (or life tip, your choice) from all of this, it’s BE KIND. Never underestimate the power of a smile, of patience, of validation. And be careful not to understimate the power of the eye roll, big sigh, and furtive checking of the clock. They take the same amount of energy, but one wil earn you a customer for life and the other will cost you.
Be kind.
P.S. If you need a referral to an amazing hospice team, credit union, in home care company, or any other business in Idaho’s Treasure Valley area who lives “Be kind” please message me.
thereallisabain 