I have five kids. I practically live at the grocery store. I’m not complaining, I’m grateful I have the variety to pick from and the money to pay for it.  I know that place like the back of my hand.  I don’t know the aisle numbers, but I write my list according to their location if I’m organized, or just type some on my phone in the “notes” section of my cell phone and delete it as a go along. (Busy mommy tip there. If I’m there with all five kids which is maybe only happened once or twice since my oldest is seventeen, but it was hilarious. Going with the kids is an adventure, especially because my baby, Dylaney Maeve is such a cutie and everyone needs to talk to her. If I’m by myself, it’s like a vacation there, unless I’m running late to pick up my son from karate at night…then it’s a race.  The self-check out always has some snafu then.

Yesterday I did like regular small order which was four bags and a giant toilet paper. If I did a full order I’d be there all day. I’m short. (5’0 nothing)  I’m not intimidating. Kids like me. Adults do too. People are always kind to me. I give smiles. I get smiles. If not, I know it’s not about me. One day, I picture myself paying for someone’s whole order, but anonymously where I watch from a distance. I love doing good things for people.  I truly am a happy person with a wide open heart.

A woman came up to me yesterday at the grocery store who loved my hair so much she wrote down my name, my hairdresser’s name and the salon’s number. We talked hair. It was funny. She talked about her life a little. I have that bartender personality (my dad was a bartender) and this of course is why I’m good at life coaching. A friend told me before that people tell me things because they think I won’t judge them.  I am human though, we all have judgements arise sometimes, but not with my clients.  It’s my job to love, guide, and help in that space.  I think people feel safe with me. Even about their hair. I mean hair is serious business for some of us women. Don’t judge us.

I also ran into a woman I had met in the grocery store when I was pregnant. Her name is Jill. Her husband has been fighting cancer for three years now. I asked her how she was holding up and what I could do. She said it was enough running into me. WOW…I felt that in my heart and the feeling that I have an impact with my presence is the wildest and most wonderful feeling in the world.  Jill amazes me. She’s dealing with her situation with such grace. She’s the cutest thing ever too. She said she just keeps on going. We happened to be in the checkout line together and talked healthy food. I’m going to email her and stay in touch. It’s one of those moments I know God put me there. Like you just know. I felt blessed we connected again.

As I bagged my groceries, one of the cashiers asked me about zucchini pasta. I helped her with some food ideas and meals she could tweak to taste good and be healthy. I cheered on the changes she had already made.  She’s a diabetic and Italian, so we talked no pasta, but lots of flavor. I always hope I don’t sound like I know I’m trying to bossy anyone around, but rather just be their bold cheerleader.  Okay, I’ll drop that.  I’m bossy sometimes.  I’m a mom so I gotta be.  Also, to take myself to the next level with career and business, I have to be a boss.  Conscious boss, I like it.  And if someone asks my opinion or help, I give it, but not if they don’t want my two cents.  Learning to know when to mind our own business and to jump in is based on gut, our intuition, and not the mind’s need to be right.  Never be afraid to help someone you don’t know, when your heart calls you to.  That’s the Divine nudging you.

Every day ordinary experiences with extraordinary meanings. I love really spreading joy and having good conversations. That is my zone. Not in the problems, but in the solutions.