On a recent trip with my wife to attend to business in Canada, we were delayed in Chicago; where four flights in a row were cancelled and we had to stay overnight unexpectedly. Luckily, and you can ask yourself if you believe in coincidences (which I don’t), I was reading a new book on the way to Chicago entitled “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff…” by Richard Carlson, PH.D. The author states in the book the two rules of harmony: 1) Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, and 2) It’s all small stuff. Fascinating book on how to achieve inner-peace.
So I was determined to make this inconvenience something I could both manage, not sweat, and make the most of. After taking nearly four hours to retrieve our bags, we found ourselves in a hotel, paid for by the airline, and an evening FREE. This is so unusual for us, so we decided to go to dinner and a movie- an official date!
We wandered into a little restaurant called Gibsons. We arrived early, so the staff was being assembled for their “charge to duty” in a separate part of the restaurant. After we sat down, we were kindly catered to, and learned that this is the ONLY restaurant in the United States that has its own USDA rating- which is ABOVE grade A. In other words, this would be the best steak in the US or we wouldn’t pay for it. That is their promise. As we enjoyed the food- the most amazing culinary experience of all time (aside from my favorite food, the Hot Dog), I was stunned in the way the staff was waiting to serve; and not just waiting, but standing at the ready- literally at their post, prepared to make this culinary experience the BEST of your mortal existence.
Witness Hugo:
Not only did Hugo stand at the ready, he polished the glasses and silverware at his tables, he was very deliberate and stood with honor and grace.
I pondered upon this powerful lesson. He performed his duty with such honor that his clients did not sweat the small stuff. All his clients had to do was “show up” and enjoy the treat of a life time. How much better would we be, if we were at our post, on time, in uniform (as it were) and stood at the ready to address all of the concerns of those we serve? Whether as a parent, an employee, a member of a congregation or other membership, and especially with our spouses or significant others, the significance of this life lesson might be life changing.
It would be a great use of time to THINK about the way in which we stand at our post, to PLAN to make our service one of dignity and honor, and then to actually DO it. THINK, PLAN, DO.
steveslifelessons 