Where I live right now there are workers hired by Goodwill who keep the dorms clean. They work long days doing back-breaking work like scrubbing our bathroom floors and getting stains off of the walls in the hallway.
I don’t want to shame anyone, because we’ve all done it at some point, but I see people walk past them without saying a word every day. They won’t say “good morning” or ask them how their weekend was. That has always hurt me. I know that those of us who walk past them without speaking aren’t bad people or conceited. I just think that if we become more aware of those around us, we can create a more loving, inclusive, appreciative world.
I encourage you to say “hello” to the people you walk past, ask your hairdresser how her kids are doing, compliment your waiter on their impeccable service, write thank-you letters to you professors, and tell the Goodwill workers in your building that you are so thankful for them.
A few months ago, I stopped a few of the workers and told them how much I appreciated them working so hard to keep my home clean. You know what they responded? “I think you’re the only one who even cares.” I can’t wrap my head around that. This group of hardworking individuals wake up every single morning and scrub our showers, mop our floors, and clean our toilets daily and they think that no one cares.
I pray that we will take the time to respect the work that people around us do. Whether that is how hard your mom works on cooking dinner or the hustle the 15-year-old at the ice cream shop has when he rushes to make milkshakes for your family. A quick “how are you?” or “thank you” can make those people feel appreciated and included. Society should not be shaming them for going to work and working hard, regardless of the job they’re doing.
In high school I worked at an ice cream shop called Ye Ole Fashioned in South Carolina. I would feel so embarrassed that I was scooping ice cream for minimum wage when people would come in ordering me around. The times the customers around me would express how nice the sundae I made looked or how good the sandwich was I made, it put wind back in my sails.
I never want to get so caught up in our lives that we look down on those around us who do the tough jobs, the uncomfortable jobs, and the underrated jobs.
Don’t forget to say “good morning”.
XOXO,
Kay
