The Civility Experiment

Today my eyes were opened to something I never really thought of before. I have been working as a temp receptionist in Sugar House. How should I put it...this place is WAY fancier than what I'm used to. I watch people walk past the glass door to the office all day. When they pass I will smile at them simply because I am happy, also it's a gesture that some humans use to communicate. It's a greeting that can warm someones day. Hardly any of the people even act like they even see me, and ignore me. Others look at me and look away. However, the cleaning lady who walks past two or three times every day always will flash her kind, big, beautiful smile right back at me. I passed her on my way back from the bathroom. She stopped me and thanked me for smiling at her. I was taken back by this and she continued saying that nobody takes the time to even notice her, let alone smile. This saddened me because I know that a smile can go a long way! Here I am surrounded with people that have so much money to make a huge difference yet they won't even do something that' s free. A smile doesn't cost anything. I better smile more.

This got me thinking about more than smiling. It made me think of how I treat those around me, those I know as well as those I don't know. I could do better at treating all those around me because they are so valuable. They are children of God. President Monson is not only an advocate on treating other's well, he's also one of the best examples of doing so. IN his biography, To The Rescue, the Prophet said, "Gladden hearts, say kind words, do good deeds, save souls." People are important! I need to remember that I am not put out by gladdening a heart, complimenting others, and doing nice things for others. This is something I want to (and should) be doing every day.

This video matched my mood for the day and it seemed to wrap up my thoughts rather nicely. I now will look at others differently then I have before-to see them as the individual that they are. Judgement will only get in the way of greater things such as kindness and charity. This video is calling me back to benevolence. I"believe in being honest, true, chaste, BENEVOLENT...." This video and day helped me focus myself more on developing one of the greatest Christlike attributes, benevolence.