Having a few small kindnesses that I did not do, that I still think of, years later, I love this description as 'compass of the heart' and I agree. I make more of an effort to do the small kindnesses when possible. I would have felt for that man, too. <3
When I see this type of thing happening, I often report the person who is being rude to the customer to their manager. People get away with being rude because it’s so hard to stand up for oneself but easier to do it for others. The world needs to be a kinder place and we all need to be reminded of this.
Thank you for piercing my heart Bernadette. The things we didn’t do. Your story also reminds me how we were raised to fetishise strangers’ privacy, that to reach out would be an intrusion. Yet we would probably want that kind gesture if we were in the silver haired man’s shoes. That teller was very poorly trained!
Loved the post.. it feels like the old days.. Keep it coming!
What a powerful line and lesson: "But what if regret is a compass for the heart—a way of understanding what matters to us, and a reminder to be and do better next time?"
Beautiful reflection. And now, how many of us have you inspired to say/do the thing we think we should, but hang back from? Stories have such an important ripple effect. Thank you Bernadette.
Speaking of words better shared, I fished this piece to read away and not be gone forever in a sea of nightly notifications. This time it was because upon that specific emotion, regret, I’ve been reflecting for as long as I can recall.
There’s always a stringent because to not let your words pass. “Regret, oh maybe she has answers” I thought, with the same faith I told myself “Jiwa I must rememeber her name to come back” 14ish years ago. Thanks for keeping unveiling what humanity has us made of.
Just think, if you had chosen to use an ATM to deposit your cheque, you would have missed this interaction entirely, and this reflection on regret would have been lost to us as well. Glad you stayed with the humans.
I agree, regret is a compass of the heart, reliably and doggedly pointing us to what matters.
Regrets, I have more than a few, and I value each one.
Lovely post. I don’t believe any of our emotions are useless. I think they are all gifts. Have you reflected on why you didn’t follow your intuition on this occasion?
Love the reframe of 'compass of the heart'. Thanks for your stories, Bernadette - and for shining your light. ❤️
Always an inspiring storyteller.
Having a few small kindnesses that I did not do, that I still think of, years later, I love this description as 'compass of the heart' and I agree. I make more of an effort to do the small kindnesses when possible. I would have felt for that man, too. <3
When I see this type of thing happening, I often report the person who is being rude to the customer to their manager. People get away with being rude because it’s so hard to stand up for oneself but easier to do it for others. The world needs to be a kinder place and we all need to be reminded of this.
Thank you for piercing my heart Bernadette. The things we didn’t do. Your story also reminds me how we were raised to fetishise strangers’ privacy, that to reach out would be an intrusion. Yet we would probably want that kind gesture if we were in the silver haired man’s shoes. That teller was very poorly trained!
Yes, Michelle.....we were raised to fetishise strangers’ privacy, that to reach out would be an intrusion.
I think you'd have had words with the teller!
These days I would, definitely! Full Karen.
Loved the post.. it feels like the old days.. Keep it coming!
What a powerful line and lesson: "But what if regret is a compass for the heart—a way of understanding what matters to us, and a reminder to be and do better next time?"
I'm rusty, Vikram. :)
Beautiful Bernadette, thank you.
Next time you will speak.
Blessings, Colin
I will, Colin.
I have missed your perceptive emails. Thanks for writing them again. You are always an inspiring storyteller as Heidi says.
Thanks for being here after all this time.
I completely agree. All emotions have a reason for being and are valuable at the right time (and in a reasonable amount).
Beautiful reflection. And now, how many of us have you inspired to say/do the thing we think we should, but hang back from? Stories have such an important ripple effect. Thank you Bernadette.
Thanks for being here, Carolyn.
That was such a lovely read this morning. I have missed you writing, thank you
Thanks for being here, Daniel.
Speaking of words better shared, I fished this piece to read away and not be gone forever in a sea of nightly notifications. This time it was because upon that specific emotion, regret, I’ve been reflecting for as long as I can recall.
There’s always a stringent because to not let your words pass. “Regret, oh maybe she has answers” I thought, with the same faith I told myself “Jiwa I must rememeber her name to come back” 14ish years ago. Thanks for keeping unveiling what humanity has us made of.
Just think, if you had chosen to use an ATM to deposit your cheque, you would have missed this interaction entirely, and this reflection on regret would have been lost to us as well. Glad you stayed with the humans.
I agree, regret is a compass of the heart, reliably and doggedly pointing us to what matters.
Regrets, I have more than a few, and I value each one.
I'm glad I satyed with the humans too, Gary.
Lovely post. I don’t believe any of our emotions are useless. I think they are all gifts. Have you reflected on why you didn’t follow your intuition on this occasion?
Indeed…
ya got me 🥹