Many of my thoughts the last couple days have centered around the terrible storm Henry and all the people of Texas (and everywhere too, since technically it affects ALL living things) whose lives are going to be changed forever because of it. So of course I've been praying a lot while delivering pizza lately...more than usual even. I scrolled through Twitter a time or two here and there hoping to see some sense of unity among people with genuine unconditional compassion for others. And, thankfully, I did. But I saw a lot of the usual political rhetoric that seems to dominate our world these days too*sigh* So I hide out in my car mostly, delivering pizza, and trying to magically emit positive energy to all that need it, and keeping my conversations short as possible so as not to break my form of meditation.
Delivering pizza so many years has benefited me greatly, I believe, in learning to be conscious of just how little control we have over things in this life. And Henry emphasized that even more, of course.
Though I earn an hourly wage, I rely on tips to pay my bills on time. Many kind customers are aware of this, and I'm grateful for them. But I'm grateful for the ones that don't tip too. For some of those people have changed my life in other good ways, and there are a number of reasons a customer might not tip. Though some delivery drivers will insist that anyone that doesn't tip is a mean and unfeeling person, I can tell you from many first-hand experiences that simply isn't true. As in all aspects in life, there are things we have control over, and things we don't. As a delivery driver, I can increase my chances of getting a tip by taking care of my end of things (not forgetting items from their order, getting them their food warm and in good condition in a reasonable period of time, smiling and being polite, etc). And though it would seem I have control over those things, in actuality I have very little control over most things (ie how busy we are--sometimes we're so busy that the ovens are full and the orders are late even when they're coming out of the oven; And there's traffic, road and weather conditions, construction zones, accidents, flat tires etc). Some people tip regardless. Some tip more the faster you get there, and less when it takes longer...all the way down to zero if they feel it took too long. Some aren't going to tip no matter how quickly you arrive, how warm the food is, and how friendly and pleasant you are. So, in summary, I basically have no ACTUAL control over income that I use to pay my bills on time. So I have to be smart with my money...I DO control how I save and spend my money. It can be scary at first, if you've never lived this way before. But if you do it long enough, you learn to budget properly, maximize your odds at getting tips, and most of all to just relax and know that you'll be okay. It sort of requires an element of faith, though not necessarily in a spiritual way per se.
I wanted to cover this mainly because of the way I see so many people treating each other online so much these days. It seems to me a lot of the anger stems from a false sense of control. I think people often fail to realize that you can't FORCE someone to see a particular point of view. And insulting them or calling them names makes them even less likely to listen to what you have to say. Just like I can't force someone to tip me. How would you respond if you ordered a pizza, didn't tip the driver, then the driver went off on a tirade about how evil and selfish you are and started calling you names? Would that make you change your mind and tip them? No. Of course not. It would make you call the restaurant and tell the manager/owner what the driver did and that you're never ordering from them again. Right? So why should it be any different when you try to tell someone online they must believe the same as you. It makes them want to block and report you. It doesn't open minds, hearts, and set the stage for constructive dialogue. Even though your intentions may be good, holy, and pure, you're not going to change someone's thoughts and feelings by upsetting them. If you have a cause that's dear to your heart that you want to raise awareness to, by all means, Tweet about it. Share your viewpoint, articles about it, etc. But let it be general, in the open--for ALL--not @ anyone in particular. And try to be respectful, best as you can. And if someone reacts with anger to your tweets, you're under no obligation to reply to them. You actually control that. And you can block and report them if you feel you need to. No matter how well you think you know someone, if you've never lived inside their skin, you don't really know them. You don't know their story, what they've been through. You're in no position to judge them.
One of my all time favorite customers we have is a disabled person that orders a small pizza from us about once a month. They live in a small and humble apartment. Instead of answering the door, they shout for me to come in please, and to set the pizza on the table for them. They are paralyzed from the waist down and rely on disability for their income. They have a very old television...with a tube even! And they are always very nice and polite to me. But this customer rarely tips me. And I understand exactly why...they live on a fixed income and have to be very cautious how they spend their money. The small pizza they order from us once a month is a special treat they give to themselves, and I'm always truly honored that we are a part of their beautiful existence. And I am always honored to smile and say hi to them, and place their pizza gently on their table. One time they actually tipped me $5 and I was truly humbled, but sort of felt bad at the same time. But mostly I was grateful. As I always aim for. In all aspects of life.
May this find you well. Life is beautiful beautiful.
Continued prayers & oodles of positive energy for the people affected by great tragedy.
Thank you.
I love you.
XX
Delivering pizza so many years has benefited me greatly, I believe, in learning to be conscious of just how little control we have over things in this life. And Henry emphasized that even more, of course.
Though I earn an hourly wage, I rely on tips to pay my bills on time. Many kind customers are aware of this, and I'm grateful for them. But I'm grateful for the ones that don't tip too. For some of those people have changed my life in other good ways, and there are a number of reasons a customer might not tip. Though some delivery drivers will insist that anyone that doesn't tip is a mean and unfeeling person, I can tell you from many first-hand experiences that simply isn't true. As in all aspects in life, there are things we have control over, and things we don't. As a delivery driver, I can increase my chances of getting a tip by taking care of my end of things (not forgetting items from their order, getting them their food warm and in good condition in a reasonable period of time, smiling and being polite, etc). And though it would seem I have control over those things, in actuality I have very little control over most things (ie how busy we are--sometimes we're so busy that the ovens are full and the orders are late even when they're coming out of the oven; And there's traffic, road and weather conditions, construction zones, accidents, flat tires etc). Some people tip regardless. Some tip more the faster you get there, and less when it takes longer...all the way down to zero if they feel it took too long. Some aren't going to tip no matter how quickly you arrive, how warm the food is, and how friendly and pleasant you are. So, in summary, I basically have no ACTUAL control over income that I use to pay my bills on time. So I have to be smart with my money...I DO control how I save and spend my money. It can be scary at first, if you've never lived this way before. But if you do it long enough, you learn to budget properly, maximize your odds at getting tips, and most of all to just relax and know that you'll be okay. It sort of requires an element of faith, though not necessarily in a spiritual way per se.
I wanted to cover this mainly because of the way I see so many people treating each other online so much these days. It seems to me a lot of the anger stems from a false sense of control. I think people often fail to realize that you can't FORCE someone to see a particular point of view. And insulting them or calling them names makes them even less likely to listen to what you have to say. Just like I can't force someone to tip me. How would you respond if you ordered a pizza, didn't tip the driver, then the driver went off on a tirade about how evil and selfish you are and started calling you names? Would that make you change your mind and tip them? No. Of course not. It would make you call the restaurant and tell the manager/owner what the driver did and that you're never ordering from them again. Right? So why should it be any different when you try to tell someone online they must believe the same as you. It makes them want to block and report you. It doesn't open minds, hearts, and set the stage for constructive dialogue. Even though your intentions may be good, holy, and pure, you're not going to change someone's thoughts and feelings by upsetting them. If you have a cause that's dear to your heart that you want to raise awareness to, by all means, Tweet about it. Share your viewpoint, articles about it, etc. But let it be general, in the open--for ALL--not @ anyone in particular. And try to be respectful, best as you can. And if someone reacts with anger to your tweets, you're under no obligation to reply to them. You actually control that. And you can block and report them if you feel you need to. No matter how well you think you know someone, if you've never lived inside their skin, you don't really know them. You don't know their story, what they've been through. You're in no position to judge them.
One of my all time favorite customers we have is a disabled person that orders a small pizza from us about once a month. They live in a small and humble apartment. Instead of answering the door, they shout for me to come in please, and to set the pizza on the table for them. They are paralyzed from the waist down and rely on disability for their income. They have a very old television...with a tube even! And they are always very nice and polite to me. But this customer rarely tips me. And I understand exactly why...they live on a fixed income and have to be very cautious how they spend their money. The small pizza they order from us once a month is a special treat they give to themselves, and I'm always truly honored that we are a part of their beautiful existence. And I am always honored to smile and say hi to them, and place their pizza gently on their table. One time they actually tipped me $5 and I was truly humbled, but sort of felt bad at the same time. But mostly I was grateful. As I always aim for. In all aspects of life.
May this find you well. Life is beautiful beautiful.
Continued prayers & oodles of positive energy for the people affected by great tragedy.
Thank you.
I love you.
XX
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