How to be kind (some suggestions)

How do you like to be treated? Have you ever thought about it? What makes you get mad at people you have to deal with? I am willing to bet its things like ingratitude, lying to or about you, being bossed around, especially if the person doing the bossing isn't as qualified as you are, being taken for granted, being ignored or treated like some kind of inferior. Its all pretty gross to be on the receiving end of that kind of treatment. So--the big question is--do you treat people that way yourself? I bet you would protest that you don't EVER treat people that way. So let me ask you this--When you go into Wal-mart and the greeter says hello--what do you do? Ignore them and walk on? Why? Someone just spoke to you in a friendly manner and you chose not to acknowledge it. I admit they are being paid for it, but that doesn't matter. You were given a friendly greeting and you acted as if that meant nothing to you. That person speaking meant nothing to you. So next time someone treats you like you aren't there, think of the Wal Mart greeter. Could you do that job without loosing your mind? They CAN do that job that you can't even conceive of doing--so maybe they are a better person than you think.
When you go to a restaurant--what is the name of the waiter or waitress--do you know? I guarantee you their name is not "miss" or "sir" (although these are perfectly respectful ways to address them). I was a waitress, and I was always surprised by the fact that someone actually took the time to read my nametag and remember my name, as if it mattered. Intelligent, aware people do things like that. They distinguish themselves from the ordinary masses by paying attention and having an awareness that a human being is taking their order and bringing their food. Don't think this is important? Think about how you feel when people treat you this way and resolve to be more intelligent and aware of the other people around you. You never know what may happen because of it.
People often tell me "You know the most interesting people". The fact is, I know the same people everybody else does--but I see them as human beings and in treating them as such I learn all sorts of fascinating things about them. I talk to lots of people and actually listen to what they tell me. You would be surprised at what you can learn if you just shut up your mouth and your mind (that is waiting for the next pause in speech to start blabbering away again) and listen carefully to what someone else is saying. Try it sometime. Even in a restaurant--lower your lofty standards and speak to the waitperson--call them by name. Compliment their jewelry, their service, their hair. Be sincere--its not a pickup line. TELL THE TRUTH to the person but tell them a truth that is positive and complimentary. See what happens. When you send good out into the world, it comes back to you. You might well become one of those people who has a great number of "fascinating people" in your life. Which will mean that you are a pretty fascinating person yourself. And isn't that what we would like to be?