 I was at the train station counter in Normandy, inquiring about purchasing a ticket when I heard a bit of excitement coming from just a few feet away. I looked to my right and saw one of the agents gesticulating animatedly and holding very little back as far as the way she was feeling about ... something. "That's it. From now on if they want information, they can just go online or ask someone else. I am not going to put up with this. I don't have to put up with this." As she pushed her chair away from her desk, I could see many of her co-workers (including the one who was helping me) shake their head in sympathy. I had seen nor heard nothing. I had noticed a couple talking with her when I walked in, but really nothing special. The couple was now gone, and the place was pretty quiet. That's when she added, in case someone (like me) had not noticed: "If they can't even take the time to say goodbye, then I don't have to take the time to help them." And I am censoring a bit. What had happened? Well, a couple - definitely not French - had come to her counter, asked for some information, received that information, and walked away. Maybe they smiled, maybe they muttered a quiet thank you, I am not sure. But apparently they had not said goodbye. And for a country who is really big on hellos and goodbyes (you would not think of walking into a bakery without saying "Bonjour!" to everyone there), they had committed a big boo-boo. I had not been in my country more than three hours and already I was feeling tender about our sensitivities. We may smoke in between courses, we may have questionable public bathrooms, but for god's sake don't serve us day old pastries and don't ever, ever forget to say goodbye. We all have our agreements, the things that work, and the things that don't work. People have them, countries have them. The things that are okay, the things that itch like wool, the things that make our stomachs, or our noses, turn. I think that's pretty sweet. Receive my blog posts straight into your inbox. Comments are closed.
|
NEW! SUBSCRIBE TO MY PODCAST:
"Every time I read your blog I am so profoundly happy I did. The truth you speak is just mindboggling. The real, real voice you have. It makes me almost crazy how much I love your words and your way of telling stories that cut to the quick- and I never have the words to really say how much this all means to me.
Laura - I always read your posts and am touched by your vulnerability , courage and honesty. Thank you for sharing from your heart. It is a rare gift in this world. A gift we humans are in desperate need of. You put out so many heartfelt blog pieces that touch my heart and move me down the right path at the right time. Pure beautiful magic girlie. I love you for this. Thank you for digging in there and finding the gems of wisdom and then just sharing them out as if there's an endless supply ... which with you, there is." Archives
December 2024
"Thank you for sharing your wonderful, heartbreaking, exhilarating experience with the world."
"Thank You Laura for sharing, for teaching and spreading loving kindness. " "I think I love you. You bring good things into my life, or remind me of things I love and know, but have let go of." "Laura, you are so good for me. I laugh and sniffle and get the shivers when I read your essays. Thanks so much for letting all your wonderfulness run around loose." "Heart-achingly beautiful, your words and how you reveal your truth." "Thank you so much for who you are and what you share with the world. Your mere being transforms lives as it has transformed mine. This particular post did to my heart what water does to parched soil." "Thank you for your gentle words that are packed full of wisdom. I have been struggling with the concept of what words can do to another person when they are negative words. Your words are the flip side of our word power, and shows how delightfully powerful kind words can be. Thank you." "Once again Laura Lavigne takes you on an adventure of the heart. She has a way of pulling you right in the car with her. Asking you to consider changing a fear to taking thoughtful action. Whether she's teaching a class, leading a retreat or heading for a happiness sprinkling, Laura will invite you to shed old ways of thinking and be completely authentic. Join in!" "Essentially pure love. I enjoy how Laura is kind to herself and to us other humans who dance in and out of each other's lives. " "Don't miss a post! You can count on Laura for warmth, humor, charm, and a lift to your day and your heart. She inspires me to be braver than I am, and to love the world out loud. She's a gem, and a generous one at that!" Me
I write because this is the way I am able to taste life more deeply. |
|
|
|
|