First of all, I wanted to thank each and every single one of you that commented or messaged or called me in response to my post earlier this week. It can be really intimidating to hit “Publish” on those super vulnerable and transparent posts. Especially when it was (and still is) a big issue in my life. It’s like taking my heart out of my body and putting it on stage for the whole world to see. But every time I allow myself to be vulnerable, it helps me heal a little more. So thank you for allowing me to share my stories with you and thank you for being non-judgmental, loving readers and friends.
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I remember when we had just moved to Harrogate and I was applying for jobs left and right. I was in the process of transferring my credential to Tennessee and had compiled all my paperwork to send over to the state department. The forms were printed, signed, and ready to go. All I had to do was go drop it in the mail.
Fortunately, the post office was just down the street. I probably could have walked. But I was still adjusting to the ridiculous humidity so I hopped in my car, drove the 0.3 miles, and pranced on in to the post office.
I was the fourth person in line.
I had my phone in my hand, scrolling from one app to another as I waited. Because I wasn’t used to waiting.
When you’re a SpED teacher, there’s really no time to wait. You learn to gobble down your lunch, be efficient with every single minute you’ve got, and minimize the waiting as much as possible.
And, in a city, it’s a little easier to do that. For example, if you went to a post office back in San Jose, there would be four people working. And also a self-service machine. To make things efficient.
I remember walking into the post office that sunny, humid day last year and feeling frustrated. Not only because I had to wait in line. In the middle of a weekday. But because the guy behind the counter was just making small talk with the customer.
Small talk.
Didn’t he see the line?
Didn’t he want to hurry it up a little bit?
I stood there, tapping my foot, scrolling through my phone a little more. Sighing heavily.
The second customer turned around and looked at the third customer and said, “You go on ahead. I’m in no hurry.”
The third customer responded, “I ain’t in no hurry either.”
They both looked at me and I literally j-u-m-p-e-d at the opportunity to go ahead of them. They stepped aside like the thoughtful, gentlemen they were and let me go on ahead of them.
When I got up to the counter, I kept the conversation to a minimum, paid for shipping, and hurried on outta there.
“Phew,” I thought to myself as I walked out of the post office that day, “Thank goodness for Southern hospitality. Because I sure was in a hurry. I hate wasting time.”
I then proceeded to drive the 0.3 miles back home, walked back in to my cool, air-conditioned apartment, and sprawled out on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. And then remained in that position for two hours.
I guess I didn’t NEED to cut the line. I didn’t NEED to be in a hurry. It’s not like I had a job to get back to.
But, back in that post office, that whole “waiting” thing seemed stressful because I had spent my entire life go-go-going.
Today, after another post office visit, I realized just how much has changed in the short year and a half since we moved here.
There were only two customers in there. Me. And the lady in front of me who was making casual talk with the guy behind the counter. He was talking about his previous job selling trucks. He said, “Back when I was in sales, trucks were only $600. By the time I had left, the prices went up to a couple thousand.”
I found myself eager to hear how he transitioned from selling trucks to working at the post office. The same guy who – a year and a half ago – I was rolling my eyes at for talking for SO long. Today was different. I wanted to hear more stories.
When I walked up to the counter with my envelope in hand, I said, “I just need to send this package.”
He glanced down at the package, saw the address it was being sent to, and said, “I sure wish I could go where this package is going.”
(The package was going to Vegas).
I told him about how my best friend lived in the burbs of Vegas. And about how we used to go there all the time in college. He told me about his last trip out there and a funny experience he had gambling.
Before I knew it, a line had formed behind me. But none of the customers in line seemed to be tapping their foot. None of them seemed to be in a hurry. Every single one of us was listening to this man’s story. As if that was the only thing they had to do that day. Me included.
I paid him, waved my goodbyes, and then turned to leave the post office.
It wasn’t until I got back to the office that I realized I was smiling the entire drive there.
Some days, I adore this small town life. The desire to connect and converse with others. The slower, more relaxed way of living. And a close-knit community. Where the UPS guy is your friend. The manager at the grocery store is your friend on Facebook. And the USPS guy is your mid-day entertainment.
I never wanted to move here. It wasn’t my choice. I, obviously came because, apparently, when you get married, it helps if you live with your spouse.
So I did it. Because marriage is sometimes sacrifice and compromise.
And I was willing to do it. There was nothing that I could do to change the situation.
Little did I know that the situation would end up changing me.
Questions of the Day:
- Has there been a time in your life where an unexpected situation changed you for the better?
I love this! I might be the opposite. I love small towns and the charm of it, but maybe if I had to live there I wouldn’t love it as much. You also never know what you truly love until you allow yourself to experience things.
Don’t get me wrong! I’m ready and willing to come back to California in a heartbeat. I just love that I can love where I am – even when it is nothing that I imagined I would love. <3
Hi Divi: my apologies for not reading your blogs of the recent ones but, I really enjoyed reading this one. It’s called being and enjoying the moment. Go with the flow than be in the space or state of agitation or irritation you’ll be a lot calmer, happier as you are in sync with divine and the cosmos!!!! I love you as you put meaning to the smallest things!!!
No apologies needed, my Aurps. Love you very much. Thank you for always being the one to brighten and inspire our every days. Love you always.
I just wanted to write and tell you what an adorable post this was and how much I enjoyed it! I, too, cherish small town life and this hit home for me. The little things we definitely take for granted, right?Like time…
thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by and reading! I appreciate it so much.
A little kindness goes a long way <3
San recently posted…Things I plan to do in 2018
I lived in a small town growing up. It is way different than living in the city. I miss it sometimes myself.
Great post! I can’t really think of anything specific to your story, but it is interesting how certain places and certain people can really change the way you view things or live your life.
-lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…London Calling: My Photowall Canvas Review
Everyone knows your name when you go into our small town post office. I like the friendly personal service and communication we get from small town living.
candy recently posted…Pecan Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
I love everything about this story. I am often in a hurry for no good reason too and this is the best reminder that it’s ok to slow down! How much are we missing when we’re rushing from one thing to the next?? Thank you for sharing this Divya!!
Beth recently posted…What’s Up Weekend 1.12.18
Beautiful story. One thing that makes me realize I have a problem with waiting in lines is when I accidentally forget my phone and end up having to wait in line and feel like I can’t do it without having my phone to look at. So I’ve started intentionally leaving my phone behind or refusing to look at it when I am waiting for things–waiting at the post office, waiting at the DMV, waiting at a restaurant, waiting in the checkout lane–and instead using that time to breathe deeply and be in the moment. It’s amazing how much of an impact slowing down can have on our state of being.
I like that 🙂 I should do more of that myself. We all need a little “white space” in our lives to help us tap into our creative potential. I may start something similar! Leave my phone at home when I go for walks.
I love this so much! While I don’t live in a huge city, ours is pretty big. But we still know basically every worker at the grocery store (and if they have pets or not) because my daughter talks up a storm to everyone (we’ve had to have some talks about who and what is ok to talk about). Some days I’m in a rush, but then I see how happy people are to talk to us, so I just let it be. 🙂
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy recently posted…Little Letters {January 2018}
One thing I love about your writing is that you can look back at a situation as mundane as going to the post office and turn it into a work of art full of life lessons. I wish I could say I’ve made the same progress as you but I’m still caught up in my faster paced city ways from my Seattle days even though I live in the suburbs now and am rarely actually in a hurry. Just yesterday I was at the grocery store sighing dramatically as the cashier held up the line telling a customer a story. I’m going to remember your post the next time I find myself impatiently waiting to hurry home to do nothing.
Courtney A. Casto recently posted…My Anxiety Confessions
Don’t get me wrong! I still have the old SpED teacher habits of trying to multi-task and do a million things in one day. BUT, I always come back to this small town post office moment to remind me to take a deep breath and take things as they come.
My dear Divpiv:
Have been following your blogs regularly but wanted to write back to this sweet little post that is so meaningful. Love the way you remember incidents from back in time and compare it to todays situation and make it a lesson to learn for all of us.
You are an amazing writer, amazing human, beautiful hearted sweet lil girl.
Love you always.
God Bless!!
Thank you, Mama. Love you too too much.
I love love love this quote! Things we can’t change really do often end up changing us for the better. There have been several moments in my life where I wanted so badly to change the outcome of certain things, but in the end they ended up helping me grow.
xo, Taylor (www.tayloramead.com)
I can completely relate! I live in a super small town (population 432, to be exact) and it does take some getting used to, but it is so nice having the close-knit community feel on a daily basis!
Wow!! My town is definitely a LOT bigger than yours! 432 is so teeny! Are there neighboring towns pretty close by to make it feel not as small?
I love so much about this. So much. I still live in the city and I so long for a quieter life.
Semalee @ NailingJelloToATree.com recently posted…Not In a Hurry
This post made me smile. Loved how you told it.
Melissa Javan recently posted…Life Update – January 2018 review