My mail man makes my day every day. You might think it’s because of the parcels and envelopes he leaves behind when he stops by my office. He usually leaves behind junk mail, magazines, or a rare card or note. Those are all fine and well. But every single day he leaves behind something even more important.
My mail man barely spends five seconds dropping off our office’s mail. But he leaves behind something far better than a card or letter. When he walks in the door he leaves behind a positive attitude and happy energy. He comes bounding in the door at about 10:00 every morning and says the same thing:
You have a fantastic day!
Sometimes I’m not even in the same room, but I can hear him speaking to others all the way from my office: “You have a fantastic day!” It’s infectious. It’s inviting. It’s positive. It comes from the bottom of his heart. It lights up the whole room and everyone in it.
After my mail man spends five seconds in my presence, my entire day is made. If I am deep in thought or in the inner recesses of my mind, he pulls me out of it and makes me aware of the blessings of the people with whom I work. If I am getting ready to head out and visit people he transfers his attitude to me, and then I, in turn, transfer it to the people I meet. If I am trying to pull myself out of my early morning grogginess, he lights up the room and wakes me up.
Five seconds with five kind and encouraging words can make a person’s day. I’m trying to replicate what my mail man does for me. I’m trying to be an encouraging presence and a shining light in people’s lives.
You can, too. Let’s call it the “Mail Man Effect.” Let’s light up this year’s holiday season with the “Mail Man Effect.” Here are some ideas:
- Ask the clerk at the store how her day is going.
- Tip the waiter or waitress more than 20% and add a note of encouragement on the receipt.
- Buy a few small gifts and give them to random people at unexpected times.
- Say, “Merry Christmas.”
- Take some Christmas cookies to your next door neighbor.
- Drop a note in the mail to someone who has been an encouragement to you.
- Give a candy cane to a kid.
- Send an email to an old friend.
- Throw a party.
- Invite a friend to church for the Christmas Eve service.
Or, you could even greet your own mail man with the words: “You have a fantastic day!”
What ideas would you add to spread the “Mail Man Effect” this holiday season?
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