Last week I did a crazy thing. It was nearly Christmas. In fact, we had just two short days to go and I not only ventured out on a shopping trip, I went to my most dreaded store--Walmart.

I fully admit to dreading this trip. I clung to the warmth and comfort of my couch and watched Gilmore Girls for as much of the morning as I possibly could, but eventually it had to happen. The Christmas shopping had to be finished and Walmart was my last place to check off.

So, I took an extra sip of coffee and headed out the door. Even as I was pulling into the parking lot, frustration was building. There were people everywhere and carts abandoned in the single empty parking spots left available.

For the happiest time of the year, Christmas can also make us the grumpiest. I took a deep breath and headed to brave the crowd.

I was about 15 minutes into my shopping trip when it started happening. I started actually seeing people. It's not like I'd been blind before this, but suddenly I looked around and I saw so much more than I had moments before.

I saw the tired eyes of the employee graciously dealing with an angry customer. I saw the tension between the couple struggling to meet expectations and arguing over each purchase. A few moments later, I had the chance to help a mom pick out a gift for her teenage daughter. I even got to chat with several employees and wish them a Merry Christmas. Their relief was visible when I took a moment not to complain, but to ask about their day. When I checked out about an hour later, I found myself shocked that I had not only had a pleasant shopping experience, but I'd had several meaningful conversations and interactions.

On my way home, I stopped to grab my mail and ran into a neighbor I hadn't yet met. We had the most lovely conversation and I left feeling grateful to have slowed down long enough to talk.

I started to wonder how many of my stressful days and experiences were made that way by my own perception. The reality is so many times, I let my Type-A, task-oriented brain take over and I brush past or ignore the people in my path. As we approach a new year, I find myself wanting to do something big, to serve, or be a part of something that feels groundbreaking and world-changing. I wonder how often The Lord is calling me to just learn a name and hear a story instead? I have a unique opportunity to extend a kind word, to listen, to encourage, to gift my time to each person I pass in my daily life. May I never pass that up. Who can you choose to see differently today?

Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody. -Robby Novak