“Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.” – Mary Kay Ash

A couple of months ago we decided to buy a new car. Our car was 14 years old and we felt it was the right time. We looked online then went and visited a dealership and got the expected car salesman’s treatment. After more research we decided to go check out another local dealership that offered a good incentive for cleaner cars.

Within a few minutes of looking around, a smiling woman came and greeted us. She didn’t ask what car we were looking for but wanted to know about us and how we decided to check out Hyundai. Her name is Cindy. She speaks English with a heavy accent. We learned from her that she arrived in Vancouver a couple of years ago. She wanted to move to give her daughter a chance to have a more relaxed and fun future.

Cindy came as a single mother with a child and didn’t know anyone in the city. She is working as a car salesperson, rarely the profession for a woman. Cindy doesn’t know much about cars or finances. But she loves people and it shows.

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Image by Mathieu Struck

Wednesday is usually our day to see our friends. We meet for lunch or coffee, depending on the mood and time of the collective. We met at a pub and spent a couple of hours eating and chatting.

I laugh more on Wednesdays than any other day of the week. Our friends are of various backgrounds, age, experience and skills. Yet well all share the bond of friendship.

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
- Anais Nin

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“When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”
- George Washington Carver

Today was another brilliant day. It is incredible how much a good night sleep can improve one’s mood. I woke up rested and relaxed. The sunny skies and warmth were energizing and uplifting.

The star of everyday life
One of the highlights of today was a visit to Safeway. We were lucky to be checked out by Shirley. The mere thought of her makes me smile. Shirley is a cashier in her sixties. She has been working at Safeway for decades. She has managed to memorize every customer’s name who frequents the store. She greets you with a smile and says: how are you today Ms. or Mr. so and so.

I have yet to see someone who passes by Shirley and doesn’t smile. She is not a celebrity admired by millions. But she is definitely a star that brightens the skies of so many people who are lucky enough to meet her. I absolutely love this woman. Maybe one day I will have the guts to ask Shirley if I can take her picture. If I do, I will post it here.

It maybe a cliché that it’s not the WHAT, it’s the HOW; but it is a very powerful one. Shirley doesn’t look at her job as unimportant and tedious. She gets a chance to interact with people and does her utmost to be the best without taking herself too seriously. She is always smiling and joking (an added bonus).

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