The Cashier

Janine is an ICU nurse of 30 years and loves her job. “I need to breathe in and breathe out, appreciating every moment. These babies and their families have real difficulties. I want to make sure I understand the blessings I have.” As she works bagging her items, you can feel her intensity. There is a warmth but a purpose, a drive. We talk a little more about her joy in watching her son play sports and the balance between home and work. Janine seems to have found her flow, acknowledging the challenges and understanding the need to take care of herself. This seems to be a commonality with people I meet in the helping professions; they know the danger of giving without "filling their own cup". What do the flight attendants say before take off...make sure to put on your own oxygen mask first, before helping a child or the elderly. Besides Janine, a couple was quick to each give me a hug. “We are going to the airport to pick up his parents from Texas. I made sure to take...

Heather comes cuddled under a bomber jacket, knitted scarf and pom-pom hat. She smiles as she takes off her mittens. “You know it is so important to keep your vibrations as high as possible. When you vibrate high, you carry a strong frequency which emits a kindness, like what you have. I really needed this connection today. For some reason we are here together. There are no coincidences. Our Universe has an intention, and it is within its own plan, we are here together.” I asked Heather how she gained this knowledge. “I lost my job two years ago and that required me to look inward. It is tough, but being kind and surrounding myself with kindness has helped me recognize a warmth or an aura in people that I didn’t see before.” Wow. I told her about my interactions with customers who used similar vocabulary and have similar beliefs to how they approach life. In fact, earlier this morning, a tall, large built gentleman in a puffer coat walking just behind my register alerted me t...

Curtis is a smartly dressed gentleman in a tailored jacket and slacks. He has a kindness in his eyes and a determined presence. “Do you know nothing is by chance. Me getting gas and then deciding to shop, and then going to your line instead of the shorter lines at self-checkout was determined by a connection we have. We have a vibration, and we are vibrating at the same frequency. If you look at everything at a subatomic level everything vibrates.  And for some reason I felt a pull to come to you.” We talked about our common interest in quantum physics and books we were reading. As Curtis parted, we exchanged numbers to share reading material and possibly connect in the future. I believe Curtis understands that there is much more than our physical bodies; a Presence or Being that resides in each of us that is eternal and is mostly ignored. It is that Presence, or Internal Light or what some call our Soul which is who we really are. We both agreed about feeling an obligation...

Kelly tells me how vital it is to have a positive mindset. “It is important that you work on it everyday.” She goes on to tell me that she has two teenagers at home and two in college. “My son you can watch on television. He plays lacrosse for Syracuse University. I missed the last two games but I usually try to get up there.”  She makes sure to give me his number and last name. Kelly then goes on to tell me she has breast cancer. “That is why I make sure I wake up to watch the sunrise every morning. I love to watch the colors then, and then again at sunset. It really helps me get through the day. It would be too easy to give up.” She repeats this last part twice almost as if trying to convince herself. I say good for you Kelly. Staying strong and reaching out. You are in my prayers. We need people like Kelly in our world to remind us of the things we take for granted. I try to cherish every moment in my life but many times I get caught up in the mind chatter. Thank ...

A shorter woman with broad features enters my line. She has a clean look with unblemished skin, ponytail, crisp-clean, zipped winter coat and tailored pants. Alison told me she is always smiling. “You know they say when you smile it produces serotonin. So even when I don’t feel like smiling, I try to smile.” She told me she learned this from her mother who was always happy and such a generous soul. “I once went on a date and I saw a beautiful gourmet cookie that was $8.00. The gentleman said who would pay that much for a cookie? I knew that was the last time I would see him. I married my husband because he has such a huge, generous heart.” Alison tells me her mom contracted ALS. “Her body has shriveled up. She no longer can even acknowledge my hugs. It goes so fast. Two years ago she was traveling the world and going out with her friends…She is really no longer there.” As she tells me this, her eyes are watering almost as if trying to comprehend the frailty of life. “It ma...