Smile Emergency, Aisle 7!
Another Ha Ha Helen sharing moment… ;o)
It’s an overcast, dreary day here in Central PA (USA), but I set out with the intention to light up some souls with my SMILE Campaign!
After I had my healthy soup-salad meal at my favorite Olive Garden restaurant, I decided to walk across the shopping plaza and spread some SMILES at Wal-Mart. I purposely parked at the far end of the parking lot so I could get in a good walk.
I like going into stores around major Holiday Shopping times, not buy anything, but offer SMILES, and assistance, if needed. For example, helping a mom with a crying kid by handing the child a SMILE Bookmark, etc.
So, I entered Wal-Mart. There was one of my favorite Wal-Mart greeters as I entered. She is a lovely soul, always with a smile on her face. I ‘lept’ through the doorway, announcing “Helloooooooo!” She smiled at me as I flew by, on my mission.
My mission: See how many SMILES I receive in return for my smile.
A brief explanation of my smile game – which can be found on my website: www.lafolot.com is: Give a Smile – Get a Smile earn 1 point, Give a Smile – Get a Smile and a verbal comment – earn 2 points!
So, off I went into the store, snaking my way up and down aisles (heading back towards the restrooms, of course!) ha ha
I became concerned! It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day, and two days before the well known ‘Black Friday’ – when retailers expect their ‘books’ to go into the ‘black’ and out of the ‘red’ (debt), due to massive purchases for the holidays.
I normally get a 99% return rate on my SMILES! But, NOT TODAY!
Oh, my! I thought, what’s wrong. So, determined, I continued to walk through the store, giving my ‘soft, close-mouthed, smile’. I actually got 4 points due to 2 gentlemen returning my smile, giving me a nod of the head and saying: ‘How ya doin’?'
I received only two other smiles in return! IT WAS A SMILE EMERGENCY IN AISLE 7!!
Was it the anticipated pressure of the Holiday Season? Even one clerk at a counter looked down and away. Was my zipper open?
Luckily, when I reached the Women’s Room – there was a toddler getting her diaper changed by her mom and Auntie. When she was done, she was placed on the floor to stand on her own, and THANK GOODNESS she SMILED at me! *pfew
There was hope, yet!
On my way out of the store, there was still a major lack in SMILE reciprocation!
I stopped to talk to my favorite Wal-Mart greeter on the way out. She is a ‘very compact’ older woman, in a ‘Physical Assist’ chair. She has the BIGGEST SMILE one could have! A lovely soul!
I walked over to her and said: ‘I’m a bit concerned. I’ve been trying to collect points for my SMILE CAMPAIGN and … I proceeded to relay the lack of smile reciprocation, etc.’
Then, she said: ‘I know what you mean! I was NEAR TEARS an hour ago.’
I KNEW there was a reason I had taken that walk across the parking lot and visited this store.
I said: ‘Well, here, let me help you out. I gave her one of my bright, yellow, sunshine smiling face, LAFOLOT bookmarks with the saying: LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN!
Here face beamed! She asked if I had another one to give to her associate at a counter near where she was sitting. I DID, so they were both thrilled and smiling.
I said: ‘You have your work cut out for you!’ She said: ‘I know, it’s the stress of the upcoming shopping season.’
I said: ‘Well, may every smile you give be supercharged and light up each person who receives it!’
She laughed, thanked me and I left -WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE!
So – CALLING ALL SHOPPERS….. SMILES NEEDED BY THE MILES….
Get out there and COLLECT THOSE SMILE CAMPAIGN POINTS!
I’m sending out a smile campaign challenge to everyone I know to COLLECT AS MANY POINTS AS YOU CAN!
Shoppers…. turn up the corners of your mouths and LIGHT UP THE WORLD WITH YOUR SMILES!
Ka-Ching…. I can hear the sound of the smile points coming in as I finish typing.
Rev up those smile engines - varoooooooom!
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED THANKSGIVING filled with Gratitude and Warmth!
Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT
Live Life! Laugh Often
www.lafolot.com
Tags: Camp Hill, Carlisle PA, Ha Ha Helen, Holiday, lafolot, Laughter, laughter therapy, mechanicsburg, Olive Garden, smile, stress relief, Wal-Mart, Wellness
