Good to Know...

Recently completing weekend "duty" for my newly assigned reserve unit, I stopped at a gas station to get a drink for the hour or so ride home. Now, I wasn't familiar with the area so of course I was cautious of my surroundings. While still in uniform , I go inside, grab a bottle of Gatorade, paid for it, and walked back to my vehicle. Enroute to my vehicle, I hear a truck driving slowly behind me to finally stop, then hear a door close. Not really thinking about it too much, I continue to my vehicle and get in. I no sooner put my seat belt on, and I hear a knock on my window. An old, brittle, gentleman was standing at my door, waiting for me to put down my window. I cracked the window and asked what he needed. He smiled and said, "Sir, I would like to take the time to thank you for serving our country. No matter what is going on in the world, or whoever is in charge of you, always know that there are millions of Americans greatful for the job you all do." Caught off gaurd, I simply just thanked him and gave a hand shake. I watched him walk away in my side view mirror, get back in his truck, and the old gentleman and his wife waved goodbye.

Now, this didn't strike me right away as being a big deal...but think about it. How many times does the average person have something positive to say? Usually if something doesn't go as planned, we're quick to be negative whether it's a comment or an action. I wondered if people would give positive feedback (when credit is due), would it possibly go as far as helping with global relations. As unlikely as that would happen, it ran through my mind on the long drive home. We all can agree the ease of giving seeing the results of negative feedback, but imagine what could happen with positive feedback. Try it, and see what happens.

As far as the older gentleman, I thank you for your up-lifting comments. It's good to know that there still is people that appriciate what others do.