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Writer's pictureSherman Wang

[005] A Wise Cashier



It is the 8th consecutive day that there are no confirmed Covid-19 cases in New Zealand. After so much time in lockdown, this is exciting news as it seems that the pandemic here is under control. However, the impact of the virus in other areas seems to gradually get stronger.


The world is now full of uncertainty. A chart of the number of layoffs for many large businesses has gone viral online, and to a country that has only 5 million people, this is profoundly serious. It is said that aircraft pilots are doing carrier delivery jobs… Friends of mine from China recently shared their news on being made redundant as well. They are middle aged with young children and old parents; it is extremely hard for them. Now the relationship is tense between China and the US, where the pandemic is spreading and riots are ongoing due to a black man’s death at the hands of police, which is worrying some Chinese parents with children studying in the US.


Currently there are very few flights between New Zealand and China, and a one way ticket costs as much as four times the price of what return tickets cost in the past! For one trip, I will need to be quarantined in China for 3 weeks before I can do business, plus 2 weeks quarantine upon my return to New Zealand. That makes 5 weeks in total for one trip! It worries me just thinking about it.


These miserable situations piling up make me sensitive and I can feel very low, especially after a few sequential rainy days like we are having.


Last Friday, I went to supermarket. When checking out, the cashier greeted me.


“How are you today, Sir!” her tone was warm with respect.


“Good, you?” I replied, a little routinely.


“I choose to be happy!”


Her answer struck me. I paused and said, “That’s a very wise answer!”


“Thanks” she said. “If I don’t choose to be happy, life is miserable.”


I was touched by her positive attitude, and it reminds me I can also choose to be happy, as she did!


Ten odd years ago, when I first read the book the 7 habits of highly effective people, I was seriously enlightened. The first habit was called ‘be proactive’, and the meaning behind it is far deeper than the words shown. It means that people have the freedom to choose their response to the external stimulus - and highly effective people know this, intuitively. They realize that ‘happy’ is just like ‘unhappy’; a personal choice. At the time, this was like a lightning strike, and I suddenly felt powerful.


Such power is not in the body, it is mental power. It is when I realize it is me who controls my response to the external world, especially when facing adversity. Now, people either realize that they have such freedom of choice, or they do not want to realize such freedom, for if we have surges of emotion and behaviour, there is no one to blame but themselves.


Realizing this freedom of choice can make people choose a positive attitude when facing adversity, and attitude determines behaviour. There is less complaint and more solid actions, forcing people to move forward even while facing adversity.


I do not know what kind of adversity that lady cashier is experiencing at the moment. It may be being made redundant, or illness of a family member, or any number of things. Any bad situation may tear her down, but she chooses to be happy, giving her sunshine on her face as she positively faces the difficulties. She can even influence those around her, including me among all the other customers who purchased their groceries with her help that day.


We are all experiencing adversity. Knowing that you have such freedom to choose your attitude, what are you choosing today?



 

Photo source: pexels.com


Reference:

Covey, S. R. (2004). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, Free Press.

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