kindness – HOUSE OF PRAIN

I am a living, breathing, walking testimony that you can have a TON of fun in this life without drugs, alcohol, clubs, etc.

How?

Knowing Jesus brings joy!
Love everybody – always.
Rock a cool nickname like “Kentobean”.
Surround yourself with people who bring you up.
Lovingly avoid spending all your time with people who bring you down. Notice I said ALL your time. People who bring you down are the type who are struggling and you can be there for them – just don’t get sucked down the negativity vortex.
Smile and hug.
Be pure in heart.
Be faithful to your spouse.
Watch Hallmarks instead of Horror movies.
Less Talk radio and more talking to strangers. You’ll learn people need encouragement and the title “stranger” will be upgraded to “friend”.
Look for every opportunity to be a blessing!

What are some other tips you have to a life full of joy and happiness? Please comment!

This morning I took my kids to a Chick-fil-A that I have only been to a couple of times here in Charlotte. It’s not anywhere near our normal route, but today it happened to be the chosen chicken palace for us. We weren’t there to eat, but I told the kids they could play on the playground and I’d buy them a couple chocolate milks.

As soon as we entered the door, an excited voice welcome us in! I later discovered her name was Finese. She had a big smile on her face while she swept the dining room. I ordered the milks and sat down near the playground. She interacted with my kids before they scampered off into the play area. I asked her what she knew about Truett Cathy. She told me he started Chick-fil-A with a Dwarf House and it grew and grew and he was a great man with Christian faith and that she loves working for Chick-fil-A.

She then noticed that my kids were running breathless in and out of the playground door and had consumed their milk. She volunteered to get them some ice water because after she drinks chocolate milk, she can always use some water. She didn’t know I was noticing everything about her. I noticed how she listened intently to me, while continuing to work. I noticed how she encouraged and complimented. I noticed how she brightened everyone’s day. She cared about me, she cared about my kids, and she didn’t stop working. She had the “it” factor. The perfect balance of work ethic and personality. She made us feel like a million bucks.

When it was time to go, I called the kids down from the slides and gathered socks and shoes. But before I left, I walked up and asked to see Finese. By this time, she had rotated over to the drive-thru window. I asked if I could speak to her. Her manager called her over and the two of them and about three others gathered at the end of the line. I told them that I wanted to say that Finese is something special. That food is food, and even though it’s good chicken, it’s the people who are the secret sauce of Chick-fil-A. I let them in on the fact that I used to be a director at Chick-fil-A as well as train all around the country… and that Finese is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

I then gave her my silicon “Just Truett” bracelet. It’s been my personal bracelet for about three years, but it was time to pass it on to someone who embodied Truett’s heart for service and for people. The world needs a whole lot more Fineses… and Chick-fil-A is blessed to have her!

CFA