Tuesday, October 25, 2011

This morning as I awakened I had such an awesome wave of love flowing from me to the Father. I had to tell Him how much I loved and appreciated Him. I was like a child gushing over a new found interest. When I stop to think about how truly magnificent my Father is and how much I love Him, I am comfortable knowing that He loves me more.

Monday, October 24, 2011

The Art of Customer Service is Dead

What is it about some restaurant workers that cause them to not understand that working with the public is a full time commitment? Why I got the rookie waitress at my favorite breakfast place this particular morning made me think about starting a customer service company. Other servers were busy scurrying around helping customers, looking at my table with a side eye, I imagined them silently saying I’m not your server. Mind you it was the weekend and everybody navigates to this restaurant on their days off work. My order was simple, to the point no frills or extras. I should have known something was up when I got the novice server who finally took my order after I had been seated for 15 minutes. She didn’t check to see if I needed water nor had silverware. Where are your manners young lady? I wanted to say this to her, but instead I held my tongue. I had already inquired about her whereabouts after the first ten minutes of being seated and I certainly didn’t want to incur the wrath of this waitress.
As I played with my cell phone to occupy myself until my breakfast arrived I thought about how I had always thought it rude for people to be preoccupied with their cell phones and not engaging with others around them. Since I was dining alone there was no one to talk to so I decided to learn the photo app on my new phone. When breakfast arrived it was dropped on the opposite side of my table not in front of me, still no silverware. I looked up to ask for a place setting and my drink but the waitress was on to another table. I think she should play the game Diner Dash. I had enough and politely asked for the manager. "Pack this up to go please I don’t know what’s going on with my server but this is ridiculous, how does she expect me to eat with no silverware and she just dropped the plate off and kept going." If I wanted to eat at a bufffeteria I would have gone there. Apologizing for the inconvenience the manager got the details and packed my breakfast to go. At the register he discounted my order. Hmmmm, I think free would have been better. I left there with breakfast and headed home wondering was it me or was it you?
This morning while trying to find the electric company that services my new area all I could think about was coffee; hot steaming, flavorful coffee. So I went out of my way to find my fav coffee shop and pulling into the drive through I looked at the picture and decided I wanted a nice creamy, frothy flavored drink. As the attendant leaned out of the window to take my money he handed me part of my order and went to get my coffee. My face dropped when I saw I had ordered a cold drink. "Oh h h h h, I sighed. I thought it was a hot drink." "No ma’am this one is cold. We can make it hot for you if you like." "No, I’ll just drink this one. It’s no problem we can make it hot. Just pull up and we’ll bring it to you. You can keep that one and sip on it while we make another for you." Bong-g-g–g –g! What a difference a chain makes. I drove off happy with my two coffees but not before tipping the guy for his friendliness and helpfulness. All is right with the breakfast world again.

Friday, October 14, 2011

FAVOR


I’ve been thinking a lot about this thing called favor. While some say it is not fair, it is just. Favor does not just overtake you; sometimes it has to be earned. When those who have the ability to grant favor see you going about your daily walk in a consistent, honest and unassuming way they take note of that. One’s character plays an enormous role in how one is granted favor. Have you ever befriended someone and went about the business of being a true friend to that person? Innocently doing for people and asking nothing in return, it’s like God sees you and uses people to reward you. Although this is not the reason you do what you do, isn’t it serendipitous when you discover your new friend is a millionaire and they have been watching you to see if you are honest and true. Just something I’ve been thinking about. Be careful how you treat people, you may be playing host to angels.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

1999 Has Come and Gone But It's Still True

I consider myself to be a technologically savvy person, having just a few of the latest gadgets and toys makes my life simpler, fun and well connected to colleagues. After all we have become a global society dependent on these tools to enhance our business engagements and socialization. This week I was so happy to strut to the mall and make a few new electronic purchases. I upgraded my telephone and bought a navigation system to be shared with my husband. I really wanted an iPad and an iPod but decided the two purchases I had made were enough. When the clerk told me I could listen to music on my telephone I figured I was okay for now. My laptop is not broken so why incur these extra expenses? I absolutely adore staying connected and often talk to friends around the country via Facebook. But here is the thing I don’t get. Why is it that everywhere you turn there is a sea of cell phone, iPod, iPad users who are talking to their virtual friends rather than the friends standing or sitting right in front of them? When I migrated to the south the charm of the community was wholesome and refreshingly friendly. Walking on the opposite side of the street people would wave or say hello loud enough for you to hear them. What has happened to the old south? Are we becoming socially inept? Yes I think this generation of tweeters, facebookers, youtubers and myspacers are sinking into a virtual, make-believe world where only other avatars can reach them. Amazing! If we are not careful we will be a society of grunts and moans. Our greatest expressions will be represented by flying fingers and abbreviated words. We’ll be too busy trying to say it all via the written word or with cell phone snapshots. Oh, oh gotta run. The other avatars are knocking on my wall to see if I can come out and play.