Boomers, Have You Shared A Smile Today?

There have been articles written about boomers volunteering while finding their purpose.  Many are uniting in different causes to assist and help others.  By doing this some are expressing a more fulfilled life.  Boomers are being creative and getting involved in ways to change not only their lives, but the lives of others.  It is as though our hands are uniting as one.  Some people are touching lives in large ways and some in small.  The important thing is that they are doing it!  More and more I notice this going on around me, as I am out in public places.  It seems like I notice this a lot at my local grocery store.  I will share what I heard from my grocery store trip this week.

As I was standing in line to check out, the cashier, who appeared to be boomer age, was talking with the customer in front of me.  She was telling the customer about a motivational seminar that she had attended at the St. Louis Cervantes Center the day before.  At the center she had heard motivational speakers share their experiences. One speaker told stories of how folks united during 9-11.  The cashier had really been touched by the stories that she heard.  The customer in front of me, enjoyed the story and begin to smile.  It was good to see a boomer bringing a smile to another’s face.

Then it was my turn to check out.  The older gentleman bagging my groceries was listening attentively.  I began to share with the cashier about how I write stories on boomerplaces.com.  I also was able to tell her about my interest in helping others during my retirement age years.  She said, “I have been thinking about when my day comes to retire, but for today I am trying to find my purpose.”  Bingo, I thought to myself.  She had just expressed the magic word, PURPOSE! I then suggested a couple of books that I had read regarding the subject.  She wrote the names down and thanked me.

My groceries were bagged and it was time to be on my way.  The elderly lady behind me continued the conversation with the cashier as they both smiled.  The gentleman that had bagged my groceries was now smiling. He followed me out of the store to gather up grocery carts.  He appeared to have a new spring in his step as he offered his assistance to a couple of boomer age ladies.

I thought to myself, ” So this is how it is done.  Just a simple smile, a positive comment, and a small offer of help can begin the process of each of us finding our purpose as we share with each other!  It is one life touching that of another, one hand helping and each person showing interest in fellow human beings.

One never knows how a smile, a positive comment, a show of respect or interest might just be that one thing that will turn into that big purpose that will change the world.

Originally posted 2011-04-29 20:28:50.