Always travel with your own sunshine

Gus has the ability to light up any place.  His amazing disposition is a combination of unconditional love, puppy-like spontaneity and unbridled enthusiasm.  Of course he always makes us happy, but we’ve witnessed the effect he has on other people time and time again  (see “small moments can have big impact”).  If he’s sitting in the car while we’re driving, we often see smiles light up in other cars around us.  I’ve already mentioned how his greetings can instantly lift anyone’s mood.  He just has this amazing ability to brighten things up.

Watching Gus spread sunshine has made me more aware of others who have the same effect.  This morning I had to take Sarah to the orthodontist.  Now, Dr. Parker’s is a wonderful place to go if you need your teeth straightened, but I always love being there because of his incredible team at the front desk.  Annette, Norene and Cindi are three wonderful women who manage the patients, the parents, and the steady flow of traffic.   They always manage to keep the atmosphere professional, yet at the same time upbeat, welcoming and friendly.  This morning I had a chat with Cindi that left me inspired to write this post.

It’s been 3 1/2 years since Sarah got her braces on.  With appointments starting out biweekly, and now down to monthly, you can figure out how many times we have been in that office.  I can honestly tell you that, in all of this time, I have never seen Cindi in any  mode other than smiling, bubbly and warm to everyone she deals with.  We have a lot to talk about because she also has a dog that she loves, but she chats with everyone, and always leaves them feeling important.  The thing that many people don’t seem to know is that Cindi is in severe pain all of the time.  You’d never know it, unless you notice her hesitate as she moves to get up from her chair.

Why is it that some people are so sunny, while others seem like Eyore, with a permanent rain cloud hovering above their head?  Some say that people are just born that way, but I believe that a lot of it is personal choice.   When I told Cindi today that I thought she was an inspiration, she said that she had just decided a long time ago that there was no use in being any other way.

If we really think about the atmosphere we are creating by our attitude, our words and our interactions with others, it’s amazing how we truly can bring about a change in the weather.  Haven’t we already had enough rain this summer?