shawn farner|*feeding* the social media obsession

If you knew you could make someone’s day, would you do it?

I’m not even talking about someone you know.  It could be a complete stranger - someone you will meet once and then never see again.  Would you still do it?

It’s really easy.  All you have to do is the opposite of what they’re expecting.

I went through the Taco Bell drive-thru earlier today and, upon reaching the menu/speaker, I was greeted with this - “How are you?”  I know, no big deal.  Every Taco Bell employee asks this question when you pull up.  What usually happens, though, is I reply by saying, “I’m fine, how are you?” and receive an answer that consists of silence followed by “Order when you’re ready.”

Today, the answer I got was a real one.  I actually laughed a little bit because I was so surprised.  Upon hearing this, I immediately knew who was on the other end.  It was the manager of another Taco Bell in the area (Front St, Harrisburg, if you’re familiar) who had been transferred (to the Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg).  He had stuck out in my mind previously because he seemed to actually give a crap about the people on the other end of the speaker.  And now here he was, at a completely different store and still the only Taco Bell employee I’ve ever met who has answered the question, “How are you?”

After this, I went to Target to pick up a few items (a new whiteboard, printer ink amongst other things).  I chose to forego the use of a cart on this trip, since I was only picking up a few things.  After finding everything, it was clear I should have used a cart.  I walked up to the checkout and heaved my items onto the belt, looking quite dumb in the process.  “In hindsight, a cart would have been a really good idea,” I said.  The checkout girl, who was looking somewhat bored, laughed and agreed.  From then on, she seemed a bit more lifted, and all it required was a little bit of me picking on myself.

I know work and other routine tasks can seem a little bit monotonous, but they don’t have to be.  Imagine that every single person you interact with is having a bad day and it’s your job to cheer them up.  Even if they don’t make it obvious, you are probably making their day just a little bit better.

Can you believe that I graduated high school five years ago?  I can’t.

Though we’ve put this much time in between then and now, I’ve tried my hardest to stay true to myself.  According to my yearbook, that is what people wanted me to do.  I’ve taken a few excerpts of cool things people wrote - words that are still able to make me laugh, smile and remember some good times.  If you happen to read this and remember writing it, thank you.

—

“Hey!  Some days I hate you.” (LOL!  It was mutual.)

“It was fun having you listen to me bitch in English.” (You were VERY good at it!)

“You’re an awesome guy and a great friend.” (Thanks!)

“Don’t eat tooooo much cream cheese.  And vote Democrat.” (It’s like she knew the future…)

“You’ve stuck with me and have stood up for me so many times and I’m really grateful for all of it.” (Always will.)

“Well we never followed through with that ‘plan’ we always talked about! LOL!” (Never say never!)

“Thanks for being an awesome friend to me.” (You’re welcome.  Thank you.)

“Don’t ever change.”  (I’ve tried not to.)

“You are going to go far in the future because you’re so upbeat, friendly and just all around a great guy!” (I’m blushing.)

“And I am not a lesbian!” (Still waiting to be proven wrong on that.)

“We have to stay in touch, move out to Hollywood and start our own talk show.” (I’m ready when you are.)

“Cokeapookie.” (I wish I remembered what that means!)

“Maybe we could go out on a date sometime if Marie and I ever break up.” (Well?)

—

Thanks to everyone again.

Three years ago today, I lost a close friend in an automobile accident.  Two days later, I lost another as a result of that same accident.  Looking at the calendar and realizing the significance of the date, I decided I would write this post.

Today, I’d like to honor not only their lives, but the lives of everyone we’ve lost.  For those of us who attended East Pennsboro anytime recently, you’ve undoubtedly lost a friend.  If you aren’t from East Pennsboro, you may have too.  We always keep the spirit of these people alive through memories, but just for today, let’s put them in the front of our minds.

For one day, forfeit senseless battles.  Put silly disagreements to the side.  Spill your guts and tell your secrets.  Handle every situation and interact with every person as though tomorrow wasn’t coming.  Would you do things differently?  I would.

And if you can do it today, why can’t you do it tomorrow, too?