بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarkatahu,
So today I want to share about my grocery shopping experience,
Well, I’m a big fan of Super markets, Hyper markets and all kinda grocery stores, makes me go gaga.
There’s never a ‘NO’ to go grocery shopping, not to forget the strolling around the super market in the trolley, I love doing that.
Ok, on a serious note,
Yesterday I had to go to a nearby supermarket to buy basic groceries, as usual I was filled with joy. I already knew what I had to get, and I thought I’d just grab what I need and leave, but my family (who graciously came with me) and I actually ended up staying at the Grocery store for a good hour and a half!
All because of this one middle aged man.
Let’s call him Y.
The very first thing I noticed about Y was his extremely calm disposition. There was something very, very re-assuring about his whole aura. He started by introducing himself as he greeted my family and I, and then he asked if we needed any help – standard “Customer Service procedure”, I first thought. I told him, “I already know what I want, so it’s ok. We got this, thank you!” I was expecting him to leave since I didn’t require any help, but he instead said, “Alright, I’m right here just in case you have any other questions that I can help with.“
I was torn. On one hand, I love shopping on my own. I don’t like being followed around and don’t like being asked too many questions. But on the other hand, Y seemed extremely genuine. Like I could sense that he really, truly, wanted to help me. So my brother, started the ball rolling. He said, “my sister needs so and so thing for such and such purpose.”
(PS: I’m into experimental cooking lately, looking out for various options to mix and match)
Y proceeded carefully, and very calmly, explained to me the various items that I was considering and laid out for me the best and worst-case scenario for each. At that point, I was blown away by his attitude and professionalism, because I could tell he was really trying to put himself in my shoes so that I can make the best decision with my purchase.
He then went above and beyond to suggest solutions to every single qualm I had about the products and he was so thorough (!!!) at explaining the products that I actually got even more unsure about what to choose as options were now very, very attractive in my eyes. LOL
But here’s what I can tell you – at the end of the day, when I eventually paid for my purchase, because of Y’s very, very thoughtful analysis of my situation, and with his attentive care to detail, I knew I had made the best decision for myself.
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Now, the reason why I’m telling you all this is because Y is a perfect example of a stranger who was genuinely trying to help and gave genuine good vibes.
Let’s try to unpack that for a moment. What exactly do I mean when I say “good vibes”? Because, yes, we’ve all seen these two words everywhere – on tshirts, mugs, tote bags, wallpapers – “good vibes only”, they all scream. But what in the world is “good vibes”?!
I honestly think “good vibes” is just another cooler way of saying someone has a good attitude. When someone has a good attitude, you immediately feel good vibes, and everything that you feel in association with the other person is positive.
Y had an extremely good attitude – he was calm, patient, thoughtful, kind and he was more than happy to help us with any trouble we had. (Disclaimer: at first I thought he was doing all these to get sales commission – and this judgment is really just a reflection of poor character on my end – but I have now learned that staff makes no commission on any sale!)
And as I was pondering more and more about this, I realised that his good attitude was the first thing I sensed when Y introduced himself to my family and I. There was sincerity, and there was a sense of “easygoingness” and his vibes were just positive. I think when we meet anyone for the first time, besides glancing quickly over at how the other person may appear physically, the first impression that we feel in our hearts and in our guts about the other person’s attitude is what makes an impact. We always, always notice the attitude, first.
You see, attitude is this little thing that makes a hugeeeee difference in your life – if your attitude is good, then you will always see, and attract goodness. But if it’s bad, then it’s a powerful magnet for wickedness. Even Rasulullah SAW said, “‘A good attitude is a blessing and a bad attitude is a calamity. Piety lengthens life and charity will prevent a bad death” (Ahmad)
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As I was reflecting upon this, I was also trying to find the definition of what constitutes “good attitude” – because I think it’s something that you can easily feel, but a little hard to pinpoint and describe. So I did what I always do when in doubt; which is to refer back to the beloved of our Beloved, and it was in this Hadith that I found the answer to what a good attitude is:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Shall I not tell you for whom the Hellfire is forbidden? It is every person who is gentle, polite, and easy going.” (Tirmidhi)
Gentle.
Polite.
Easy-going.
=
Good Attitude.
Because your attitude will determine everything in your life.
Good or bad, the choice is entirely yours.
It’s crazy how someone who’s working in a Grocery store could teach me so much about the importance of having a good attitude. But that’s exactly the power of good attitude – the ability to not only better your own life, but to also inspire others, because good attitude is contagious, compelling and so impactful!
I pray that may we all be given the grace and blessing to always have a good attitude in every situation, and if we are struggling to have one, may we be given the strength to change it, as a bad attitude is like a bad tire. You can’t go anywhere if you don’t change it.
Love and prayers always,
F
If There Was One Thing I Wish For All - 