Let complaint turn more often to compliment

“I can live for two months on a compliment.”

-- Mark Twain

We have a local pharmacy that must be the pharmacy for many

locals. No matter when I go, there is usually a significant line of

others waiting.

Last week, I needed a prescription and chose a time that I thought

wouldn’t be popular. I walked into the store and was pleased to see

short lines at the regular checkout counters. But as I rounded the

corner to the pharmacy section, I was met with blank stares from a

long line of people.

One woman looked at me and said, “Welcome to the club, I hope you

aren’t in a rush.” The man behind her nodded and added: “She’s right.

When I came in, I hoped to be out before lunchtime. Now I’m hoping

for dinner.”

Everybody in line laughed. I thought about returning later but

decided just to wait with the jovial group.

Two women in line talked about the different sports and camps

their children were involved in for the summer. As the man at the

head of the line paid for his purchase and turned to leave, he waved

to us and said: “Good luck to you all. When I came here, I was only

15-years old, and look at me now.”

I admit that I joined in the laughter. Then the murmuring among us

started again. I think that complaining can be contagious, and soon a

few others added some comments that were witty, but not exactly

positive.

I thought of a pretty funny line of my own, but then I looked at

the people behind the counter. They looked weary. I realized that the

line was not their fault.

I’m sure they were working as quickly as possible, and they

probably often bear the brunt of something that isn’t their fault.

Doctors can’t always call in prescriptions when patients want, and

sometimes insurance changes.

When I came to the front of the line, I thanked the woman for her

help. She looked surprised and thanked me in return. As I left, I

sensed that God wanted me to learn a lesson from the situation.

I had another errand to run before a meeting, but decided that my

other errand could wait. I sat at a nearby table, closed my eyes, and

prayed that God would show me something. Then I realized that the

words “complaint” and “compliment” have almost the same letters in

them, but those few letters and those different attitudes lead to

highly different reactions and responses.

I returned to the pharmacy this week, and prayed for the right

attitude if there was a long line, which there was. I began talking

with a charming woman behind me. For the next few minutes she talked

about her excitement about heading off to an Angels game soon. She

was filling a prescription to help with her rheumatoid arthritis. She

had an amazing attitude, and I complimented her on that.

“Others are far worse that I am, dear,” she said.

I smiled and replied, “God has given us so much to be thankful

for.”

The woman agreed and we chatted until it was my turn at the

counter.

If complaining can be contagious, maybe complimenting can too.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.