Putting Smiles on People's Faces

Every year for the past several I have dressed up to play Santa Claus for my neighborhood toy drive or play the Easter Bunny for my Optimist Club Easter Egg Hunt.  I have enjoyed dressing up like Uncle Sam for the 4th of July neighborhood picnic and I decorate and create a haunted house for Halloween that usually hosts hundreds of neighborhood kids.
 

Why? Am I a crazy or just an unfulfilled actor?  Perhaps both, yet I do all these things because I get the earn the greatest currency in the word.  A smile.  A ray of sunshine that erupts from a child or parent when you create a special moment.   You get to give something of value to others without being forced to do so.  You get to create a bit of pleasure in a world often filled with discontent and unhappiness.

Doing something nice everyday to make others smile creates a positive emotional bank account that compounds daily.    Everyday I look for opportunities to get one person to smile.  It can be as simple as opening a door for someone or saying, "thank you.”

On a flight from Denver to Seattle I brought my trash up to the Flight Attendant and said, "Can I be your first customer?"  Laughing she said, "Yes and gave me the bag and said why not do them all." Not thinking I would do it, I began to walk the aisle where she laughed and caught me, saying," I was kidding." Doing small, seemingly insignificant acts of kindness makes others appreciate you and makes them smile more. Besides, it's fun.  So ask yourself,  have I made someone smile today?

 

The Power of an Optimistic Message

You have heard them before prior to a breakfast, lunch or dinner event.

Invocations that start meetings are usually heartfelt and tend to be religious in nature. They are an oratory grace before a meal. I was asked to give the invocation at an industry function recently. I never miss the opportunity to speak in public if I am available, so I said yes to the honor.

Yet, I wanted to share a more uplifting message without offending anyone's religious beliefs.  After some reflection, I contacted the person who asked me to recite the invocation and told him of my plan to do a positive affirmation rather than an invocation.  At first he was a bit unsure of my direction, yet after a few e-mail exchanges he accepted my idea as unique and positive.

To follow is what I recited;
"As we go forward from this successful convention, let us share with others the optimism we have shared these pass few days.  I would like to share with you a positive affirmation I recite daily.  It is known as the Optimist Creed.

Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble."

After I descended the stage and sat at my table I was approached by several of the Servers who waited on the tables.  "Excuse me sir, may I ask if you wrote that or is it available somewhere on-line?” one asked.  I shared that it is on-line and they could download their own copy.  Here’s the link; http://www.optimist.org/e/creed.cfm

I felt I had connected with these folks since I am sure that they hear hundreds of invocations at all the events they work.  After the event, it was rewarding to receive praise from my pears for my invocation.  Yet, it was gratifying to know that the Servers at the event were moved and asked for their own copy.  Invocations are great opportunities to practice your public speaking.  When asked, take that opportunity.  What positive message are you sharing that others want a copy for their own?

 

Some Airlines Get It.

Some Airlines Get It.

Monday morning I had a 6:15am flight on Frontier Airlines.  The plane was loaded with passengers and was about ready to depart when the Captain addressed us over the intercom and said we had a mechanical problem. A tire had to be changed.  I am grateful they found that on the ground and not in the air.  A bit frustrated, the other passengers and I deplaned and found a restaurant in the airport to get some breakfast.  About two hours later I re-boarded the plane and had an otherwise uneventful trip home. 

Today, I received an unexpected $50 voucher from Frontier Airlines and this e-mail.   “We apologize that Frontier flight 416 on 05/27/2013 was delayed due to maintenance. We regret the inconvenience our delay caused you.  Our records indicate that you are a valued SUMMIT member of our Early Returns program and because of this we have issued compensation based on the extent of your departure delay, as well as to show our appreciation for being a loyal Frontier customer.  Your business is very important to us.  We hope to have the opportunity to restore your confidence in our service onboard future Frontier flights.

Sincerely, Lori Junker
Customer Relations Manager
Frontier Airlines Customer Care Team

Here is my reply back to Ms. Junker,

Thank you for the $50.00 voucher.  I appreciate the gesture.  It is I who should be thanking Frontier Airlines.  You see you got me home safely to my family.  Yes, it was an inconvenience to be delayed for several hours.  Yet, you had a Captain who made an important decision to fix something before there was a problem.  You had a courteous crew and group of gate agents who did their best to reroute those who had connecting flights.  I was just going home to Denver.  Your airline cared enough to say they were sorry and I appreciate that. Problems happen and Frontier Airlines and their team fixed it.  I know the e-mail states the voucher is Nontransferable, however, if possible please pay it forward and donate it to a soldier or his family so they can reunite.  I can think of no better thing to do with this voucher since the event happened on Memorial Day.  Some companies get customer service and few airlines ever do.  Today, you proved that Frontier Airlines does get it.

I am loyal customer of Frontier Airlines www.flyfrontier.com