I opened the door to let people in. It was only the door to Heatherbrae Pies.
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Sorry! Not "only". It was the door to Heatherbrae Pies.
It is my favourite restaurant but not one I take my wife to on our wedding anniversary. Not because I would be unhappy to do so, but for other reasons. Let the reader understand.
When there I feel like the boy in the lolly shop but I am the adult in the pie shop. As I stand in the cue I look at the menu board like a child looking into the glass bowl of licorice all sorts.
The lady behind the counter has to ask me three time for my order so absorbed have I become with choice. And all this without so much as a glimpse of the vanilla, apple and blueberry slices, muffins, donuts and cakes which my wife notices. Feeling hungry?
I apologise. I have lost track of my reason for writing which is not hard for a man thinking about his pies. "I opened the door to let people in..." was where I began. I thought I was acting with courtesy but perhaps my motionless stance had them think I was the bellhop or worse the door stop.
A number of travelling pie connoisseurs passed me by and to each I nodded as I held the door. Was it the smell of pies, the grumble of the stomach, the tiredness of the journey or some other malady that meant that not so much as a thank you was offered?
"Come on Rick," I said to myself, "you are only opening the door for people. What do you want people to do, sing the Hallelujah chorus?" You know those conversations you have with yourself. Well I ended up arguing with myself, "No I don't need the chorus but a simple thank you would suffice."
"Thank you!" A word so under-utilised but when used makes one feel appreciated. Imagine living your life to help people feel appreciated. That would lift spirits and inspire smiles and other acts of kindness. Imagine that!
Now there's a contribution to climate change that no one could argue with. It doesn't cost anything to offer and you don't have to close down coal fired power stations to do it. All you have to do is close down something of yourself to see something in others that you appreciate.
I know what you are thinking! It's easier to close down the coal fired power station than to shut down the self-absorbed life. I know...
As hard as it is I want to encourage us to become a "Thank you" activists. Thank your spouse for marrying you. You aren't perfect and they put up with you which is something to be thankful for.
March the streets with "thank you" placards. Walk into shops and chant, "thank you". As you blow into the random breath test say thank you, not because you're under but because the cops are trying to protect you.
Write letters to the RFS, to the council, to your doctors, to your church. They don't have to be long. Just two words will do, "Thank you" and then sign it. Go home from school and declare to your parents "Thank you" and when you go back to school interrupt the class and announce to your teachers, "thank you". When the sun rises, when the rain falls, when fun is had or you simply take your next breath thank God. I say, "Let the revolution begin!"
Before I forget, thank you for reading this article or any others I write. Thank you!
I strongly believe that we could change the climate of life by a "thank you" led revolution. A simple "Thank you!" makes holding the door for someone much more enjoyable. Of course people's ingratitude is no reason not to serve and if no one says thank you while you're holding the door for them you can always go back for another pie to make you feel better about things.
Coming into Christmas it is the season to be merry but it is also the season to be thankful.