I'm not really sure where to post this, but I wanted to get the most views out of it because I think this lesson can help everybody out.
I work in a surgeons office in a call center. I asked my HR manager the other day if I could try out for a surgical assistant position. They allowed me to take a day and follow the other assistants around to see how it is, so I did that Tuesday.
Tuesday, I was on the elevator going up to my floor to start the day. I was in a good mood because this day is a good opportunity for me to do something I like doing (I love medicine / biology / anatomy). On the elevator was an elderly man and his daughter who were both obviously nervous. The elderly man was going in for a major surgery that would last over 5 hours. We engaged in friendly conversation for a few seconds as we got to the second floor.
So I watch this gentleman go under the knife for a few hours. The surgery went well. When we woke him and had him sit up, he looked at me and said "I bet I'm the oldest person to ever have this surgery". I happily said no and assured him that others older than him have received the same thing. I then asked him how he was doing.
What he said next will stick with me for the rest of my life. He told me he was doing great, and that he knew the surgery would go well because I was such a cheerful, pleasant person in the elevator before the surgery.
To think that my attitude was enough to change somebodies outlook in a particularly scary and stressful situation amazed me. It went beyond flattering. Instead, it's a lesson I think every human being can use: the way you act towards others can really change the way somebodies day can go.
I honestly do not care if I get the job. That lesson was worth so much. There is very little I would trade that moment for.
So please, put a smile on your face. You never know how it can affect others!!!
