Parking Karma

Dear Seattle Parking Enforcement Officer,

Please allow me to extend a sincere thank you to you for your kindness this morning. Despite the fact that I believe you may have entered in or begun to enter in my car's information to your expensive-ticket-generating machine, you were extremely gracious in not printing said ticket and placing it on my windshield. I was clearly parked in front of the sign stating that there was no parking from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., which was hidden in that leafy tree, and you had every right to enforce the parking law and ticket my ass. I don't know if it was my ass in my yoga pants that helped me avoid this ticket, or the fact that I came out of the studio wearing no shoes and a skimpy top, but regardless of what prompted you to be generous to me today, I am sincerely grateful.

I plan on paying it forward today, Officer, and with any luck it will come back your way sometime soon. Maybe that SUV that was about to crush your tiny little triangle rickshaw car will make a sudden stop due to an exciting text message. Or that irate psychopath whose car you do ticket will have already used their last bullet on the slow barista earlier in the day. Whatever the case, I hope the sun shines on you today under your cute little semi-official police headgear.

Gratefully Yours,

Christine

Above and Beyond

Having lived here in Seattle for most of my adult life, and being a creature of habit, I tend to frequent a few restaurants and shops repeatedly. A few of these places I am known by name, my order (and Adelaide's) is often known, and we have learned the names of the people there. I enjoy being a "regular," it makes me feel good to greet people by name and have something of a connection with them.

This morning on my trip to the PCC (a lovely natural foods grocery store which I frequent daily, sometimes more than once), the cashier asked after my health. Susannah is a delightful woman, and I see her chatting with many of her customers. She probably knows many of their names and has a personal connection with them that brightens their day. She is very kind and patient with Adelaide, and lets her come and push buttons on her register if it's not too busy. We've been lucky enough to have her over once or twice on her break since we live nearby the store, and more than once we have found a package of muffins or a sheet of stickers for Adelaide by our door when we've arrived home.

These kind of exchanges are such little things, but I just imagine that if the world had more of them, it would have such a positive effect on our society. It is so uplifting when someone does something nice for you, or when you have a chance to do it for someone else.

As I was leaving the store today, Susannah asked me to pick out some tulips for myself on my way out, as a gift from her. She wanted to brighten up my home and my day, knowing that I have been quite sick and struggling. My first impulse was to think it was too much, that I couldn't accept, but I reminded myself that accepting kindness is part of grace, and I really can use a little kindness right now.

So now I have a spot of color and beauty in my home on a cold and rainy day. The cats and I are enjoying our flowers tremedously, and even more the feeling of gratitude and hope that they represent.

If the world were filled with yoga teachers

Imagine a world where you went to work and were greeted with a hug and a cup of hot tea. You did some work for which you had prepared, it went well, and you were thanked numerous times and hugged again by everyone present when you left.

I am privileged to be temporarily in this wonderful world. Not only am I getting to do a trade (yoga for speech therapy), but the amount of gratitude and appreciation shown for the work I put in is unprecedented.

What would that world be like if it were happening to everyone? What if the barista who makes your latte in the morning heard you tell her you hug yourself at night knowing how good that coffee will taste tomorrow? (Greenlake PCC, you guys are awesome!) What if the bus driver knew how grateful you were she got up at 4:00 so you could be at class on time? What if your child's teacher knew you thought they were a saint for caring for your child all day long and helping her grow to be the best she can? (Thank you, Tif, and Joe, and Carol, and whole host of others!)

I think I might just try to find out. Because on this end, it feels really good.