When inspiration happens to you.

As part of my evening commute last night, I stopped at 7-11. In order to nurse my now lingering cold, I thought a Slurpee was in order…a Coke Slurpee just like ma would buy on the way home from the doctor’s office…a sure cure for any of my childhood ailments. Thus, last night, I pranced my way to the Slurpee machine and headed to the counter with my medicinal purchase in hand. As I handed my money to the cashier, the gentleman in line behind me quickly said to her, “Don’t charge her for that.” I immediately laughed, thinking he was kidding around with the cashier and again, extended my two dollars. The cashier looked at me and shook her head. “If he tells me not to charge, I don’t charge. He’s sweet like that.” I turned to the man with, I’m sure, a curious expression on my face. “Have a nice evening, ma’am,” he said with a sincere smile. In that moment, a very human connection happened. We held eye contact for just long enough to say, without words, “some days are hard, aren’t they?” Back in my car, seatbelt on, engine going, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. For the first time in quite a while, I released the tension in my shoulders and felt, well, really happy. Such a small gesture from a stranger, that had nothing at all to do with money but everything to do with humanity, inspired me beyond belief.

Last week at evolution we talked about inspiration needing to inspire someone enough to take action. I know exactly what action I will take the next time I set foot in a convenience store.