Today something happened that stopped me in my tracks. I was waiting for my pharmacy to open, and noticed that the pharmacy tech had reached for a prescription right before opening the window. Turns out it was my prescription. He knew who I was.
Now, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve been going to that pharmacy for several years and this particular tech had helped me numerous times. But I don’t have that many prescriptions, so it’s not like I’m there every week.
I guess I always feel anonymous. Why should anyone remember me? In this case, I typically go to the pharmacy, give them my name and date of birth, and they give me the prescription. It’s a brief transaction and there’s never been anything memorable about it, like having to call the doctor’s office or me getting upset because something went wrong (nothing ever goes wrong, and I wouldn’t get upset if it did).
So I don’t expect to be remembered. But it’s things like this simple gesture that keep me going back. Simple human kindness. I doubt the young man helping me had any idea how good it made me feel that he remembered me. In fact, he’d probably be surprised that I was surprised.
It makes me more keenly aware of what a difference a simple smile or common courtesy when you’re shopping can make. People like to be respected. In our day-to-day lives, how often do we go out of our way to make those we see all the time feel special?
There’s a woman at work who says things like, “Belinda knows what she’s doing” or “you can count on Belinda” and that always makes me feel so good. I try to remember to do the same for others, but I don’t think I’m as good about it as she is.
As the old commercial jingle goes, “life’s simple pleasures are the best.” Let’s give out a few simple pleasures this week.
Image Credits: Hello (header) © Nadya Ustuzhantceva; Hello (cat) © ciaoaleandro; both, stock.adobe.com
My World With Words 
I too feel invisible and inconsequential. We as a society have forgotten the importance of simple kindness. For the last 30+ years we have progressively moved to a ME focused society. Rather than being kind, the first thought is what’s it in for me.
Such a simple gesture as being remembered, a smile, a hi etc can make a bad day good, a good day into a great day.
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I completely agree. I think it’s sad that something as simple as remembering who I am was so surprising, but I still feel good that he did remember me!
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This was so touching, Belinda! It really is beautiful to point out those moments that make a difference. It’s so simple sometimes. Just acknowledging someone can make their day. Thank you for sharing!
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Nothing!
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Judy, I don’t know what happened to my reply. I appreciate your thoughts (as always). Thank you for stopping by!
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I totally subscribe to this “strategy” whether it be familiar faces or strangers. Telling someone who holds the door for you to have a nice day in addition to thank you, or asking someone on Mondays who waits on you all the time how their weekend was, etc. Giving out those simple signals of humanity can go a long way, for givers and receivers alike.
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I completely agree. I’d like to be known as someone who passes out simple gestures of kindness.
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Simple pleasures – I love it! Thanks for writing about these small acts of kindness. They do make a difference!
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They really do.
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It is the little things that can make our day.
Belinda, I found this post with your message a gift and a reminder to do just as you suggest… I am going to “give out a few simple pleasures this week” and next week and hopefully more often than that!
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I’m really hoping I can remember to make a habit of these things. Thanks for reading!
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