Benefits of being a Goodwill Ambassador

Treating people respectfully on our path in life is not a perfunctory action of etiquette. How we interact with others is integral to our soul and spirit. The waves of communication rippling out from us effect the community and beyond. Our actions create history and  our legacy. When I treat a stranger well or don't and apologize for it, my own grace is enhanced. If I am terse with a call center staff and I say "I know you are just doing what you were told", then a state of calm is more likely when I hang up. In New York City, as a child, I saw my dad say "hello" to everyone on the street. He called it 'acknowledging their presence' and it included the human beings often referred to as "bums" at the time. His mood and energy level appeared to increase as a result of these interactions. My mother was on a school board for many years and ran to be reinstated multiple times. During one of these re-election campaigns, in a poor neighborhood, an individual told her  that she was greatly admired by another voter. They had related- "I like her- she speaks". This meant she talked to anyone and everyone with respect. My mother derived much satisfaction and sense of purpose from her work on the board. Reaching out to others kindly, even for a moment, nurtures any and all present. Bystanders may be pleasantly perplexed at direct, friendly interaction which crosses the artificial lines of class or ethnicity. Even waving another driver on to cut in during a traffic jam may be a pleasant surprise. Apologizing after an off the cuff remark in public is a challenge. However, my experience has been relief and satisfaction inside myself! A whole afternoon or evening of regret is prevented,  the conscience clear and the self content.  I believe that thanking store clerks, wait staff and trades people clearly and out loud sends a message that what they do is helpful and  has worth.  This also serves to balance out the inevitable negative interactions in their lives. Finally, when we travel abroad our behavior is also critical. By representing our nation as considerate, interested travelers we lend ourselves an aura of self-respect as well.