the little things

So yesterday after I took my Physiology Lab exam, I was feeling extremely discouraged. After studying for hours for this exam, I still felt like I had failed. The grade I achieve in this lab will determine if I am accepted into the nursing program or not, so I really need to pass this class.

After I walked out of the science building on campus, I started texting Matt telling him about my miserable attempt for a passing grade. He told me that he was sure I did fine on it and that I shouldn't worry. I told him that I was pretty sure I failed, and he said, "Oh well. What can you do. You studied hard for it. Everything will work out in the end hun."

I still felt a little upset though and I had to work in an hour. I got another text from Matt when I arrived at work saying, "Give 'em a good night at work!" I smiled. Matt really knows how to be positive in the worst situations, and I really love him for that. From that moment on I decided that I wasn't going to let this exam ruin my evening, so I walked into work and started faking a good mood.

You know, faking a good mood goes a long way. You start flashing people fake smiles, they smile back, and before you know it, you're not faking it anymore. You are really smiling, because people are smiling back at you. And you realize that everything is okay. A smile really is contagious. I've really noticed this waitressing. When I approach and greet a family with a friendly smile, I usually receive a smiling face in return. A happy customer just makes everything better, especially in the restaurant.

I had an older gentlemen last night who was great towards me after I approached him with a friendly smile. He was one of my last tables. He specifically ordered a cup of coffee with a glass of ice on the side. He wanted to make his own "iced" coffee. He was so pleased when I listened to him and brought his coffee and thanked me. We soon got to talking about my future. He asked me where I was going to school and what for. When I told him I was going to be a nurse, he told me that I would make a perfect nurse and that the hospitals needed more nurses. He then started asking me what the tuition was per semester and how I was paying for it. I told him that I had taken out several loans, etc. He then replied by saying, "Well, I'll make sure to help you out tonight."

That man was incredibly nice, and gave me a generous tip. On his way out he told our hostess that was working up front, "Our waitress tonight was wonderful. We had great service!"

That man made my night, and it wasn't because of the tip. It was because he was such a good spirited man. I started off the night in a terrible, discouraged mood and by the end of the night I was elated. I really realized that the little things, such as a smile and a positive attitude, can go a long way.