Today, I went grocery shopping, which is now prompting a
blog that I didn’t expect to write.
However, this is NOT what you think. This is all about the BIGGER PICTURE of LIFE
and what we are all called to do, when we witness something in our daily life.
As I swiftly tackled my list wearing my face
mask, I saw several employees looking weary as if they were ready to break down
in tears. They looked exhausted. I could see their humans ready to collapse as
their souls seemed to cry out for help, and somehow have been just too busy
doing the vital work in front of them like all front-line workers, to pay mind
to their own well-being.
Normally when I make my trek, I greet and say hello to every
employee and thank them for the work they are doing, and today was no
different. However, today – I noticed
the response in return carried a different vibration.
Yes, I am aware we have a lunar eclipse, several planets in
retrograde and everyone is doing their best and are dog-tired needing respite –
but this was much more. I have spent far
too much time understanding the difference and was not about to blow off what I
witnessed as a planetary shift being totally responsible.
When I got to self-check-out, one employee was there to help
when the computer got glitch (as I said, yes, we know how electronics are
affected). She kept getting ‘error’ on
the screen over and over and began cursing at the machine.
Finally, she broke down in tears and said “Some days I wish
that I would get the coronavirus and die because then it would mean I wouldn’t
have to put up with this crap – and if I did, it wouldn’t matter anyway because
I’m not appreciated…”
WHOA. Okay.
So since Covid-19 does not permit me to do my normal thing –
as my human nature is to want to hug this person to tell them they matter and I
see them, I had to look at the bigger picture.
Today, I had to just use my
words at a distance and communicate this through my eyes. As I expressed my gratitude for them in doing
the hard work they do and how much they are appreciated, I started crying – as a
piece of my soul could see exactly where they were in this moment as I
reflected back to my old career of 18 hour days on my feet going non-stop
without a chance to eat, hydrate, breathe, much less reapply sunscreen to where
I ultimately got skin cancer.
The employee looked back at me as tears started streaming
faster as I motioned to them a ‘virtual’ hug and let them know that I see them
and all they do makes such a difference every day. I shared how I see how hard they’ve always been
working day-in-and day-out regularly even pre-Covid….but now, the superhero
efforts are magnified. I was sure to
tell them that since they have the day off tomorrow, to honor themselves,
relax, rest and remember they are important and the work they do matters… and
that I for one was very thankful.
After I continued to spew love – I was thanked and wished a
nice holiday weekend.
On my way out I had to make another stop at another store as
some items I wanted were not even available… with empty shelves.
The vibration at this store (under a different corporate
umbrella) – was 180 degrees different.
Every employee was thriving, jovial, moving fast like lightning, vibrant
and energetic.
Here, when I showed up as I do, lots of virtual air-high-fives
ensued and aisle dancing to the 70s disco playing. When I checked out, the employee was as
upbeat as I described above – but this one was crying, too.
I asked her if she was okay.
She said “You know, we have the best manager in the world and because we
wipe our shelves every hour and hand wipe every cart top to bottom, our manager
just gave us the greatest appreciation talk as if we were the most important
people in the world…. I so wish I could hug him.”
WHOA…… Okay.
So after I spewed love and appreciation and reinforcing
validation “Your manager is great he is because you all work so hard and are
the pillars to what he manages. You all
do awesome work and it shows. I
appreciate all you are doing to keep us all safe and I feel so blessed to be
here – I feel like you are a family I return to each time I shop.”
She then started crying more tears, but obviously – just a
continuation from management’s talk.
So…. After I get home, wash my hands and do my ritual of
unloading groceries – I just had to say a prayer for both stores and their
people.
Then I got busy – in I called Corporate Offices of both
places, starting with the first one that was like some emergency call for help.
THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT --- When I called, I did NOT want to
put anyone in harm’s way… so I had to state it as my observation as a caring
customer who is deeply concerned as a frequent shopper and not call out any
individual by name, just state the problem, the facts, the potential solution
and bring about a report of awareness for their own responsibility, liability
and ultimate care.
I explained how at the first store – it was as if these
employees were invisible to the manager.
The manager needs to see the mental and emotional health is suffering in
their store for me, as a customer to see all I saw with their weary humans and
souls today. I also shared how each
employee needs some serious TLC time off and also they need to feel valued as
their self-motivation and well-being is compromised with each day they
work. This could be very serious if
employees are so down-and-out that their immunity becomes compromised just from
the fact they feel as if their purpose isn’t valued.
The corporate headquarters was thankful for my call – and said
they probably could try to plan for additional personal days for their workers. I did not want to call the individual store’s
manager directly because if an employee answered the phone and I had to ask to
speak to said manager, I didn’t want the innocent employee who transferred the
call to look as if they put me up to talking with their manager. I wanted all of the employees to BE SAFE from
this scrutiny, and have it come from the top hierarchy to oversee the manager
of said store branch.
The second competitor store with the jovial employees… I
made a call to that one, too – to give praise to the entire operation –
manager, and employee team. I felt a
responsibility to reinforce and support these hard workers for their efforts
and all they are doing.
Soooooo Lovely Souls, I wanted to share this with you today
to remind all of you to PAY ATTENTION when you get your essentials. If you can do the same type of act for either
scenario that I experienced today for places you shop – imagine what kind of
good deeds we can continue to do to support these people.
It is important. Everyone’s hard work matters.
A note to all managers – Please stay alert to your employee’s
well-being. The vast contrast between
the two experiences I had today should be a template of sorts for you to
observe.
If you want to have healthy, happy and vibrant teams who
know you appreciate them – it is up to you to set the standard.
For managers who see their teams lagging – it’s important
that even if you yourself are feeling weary, you take care of yourself so you
can take care of your team and refortify them mentally and emotionally at every
step of what is ahead.
We’ve all been through quite a bit during these challenging
times – but it is here in the awareness zone that you have an opportunity to
lift your team UP and appreciate them.
For those of you who are struggling/suffering – please do
not hesitate to ask for help. You
deserve a healthy, non-toxic, cohesive, harmonious work environment and your
well-being is vital and your human right!
I know for many, that this has been a tough road… but this
is where we all need to work together to lift up, course-correct, bring about
awareness to situations and shine a spotlight on those who are doing it right
and speaking up when we see something is wrong.
Whatever my efforts in making phone calls to corporate and
having talks with the employees myself were able to do – I was happy to do it
and hope my actions bring about something positive for change.
ALL OF YOU can do the same thing.
Now before any of you say “Well, it’s not my
job to do this, that’s management’s job…”
---- This is where I will say IT IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY to SAY
SOMETHING and DO SOMETHING if we can.
While all of you continue to practice self-care, self-love
and continue onward through our new landscape --- let’s all make the extra
effort to do what we can with where we are with what we have for making the
difference wherever we can.
Wishing you all a safe, and healthy day every day….as you
all LINK TO A BIGGER LIFE PICTURE.
Blessings, love, peace and light.
Namaste.
Stacey Kumagai
