Everyone Has a Story
Artwork: Lee Olson
Have you ever walked into a restaurant, grocery store, or coffee shop and left in a completely different mood because of an interaction you had? I know I have. We often move through our days with eyes turned inward, unaware that every encounter holds the power to shape someone’s world, for better or worse. It’s easy to get caught up in our own worries, frustrations, and to-do lists, but the reality is that every single person we pass on the street, make awkward eye contact with in the elevator, or sit next to on the bus has their own experiences that shape their every day.
I have worked in customer service for nearly four years now at Panera Bread; an experience I thought would just be a simple high school job, ended up shaping me more than I could have ever imagined. This position has given me the opportunity to have conversations with a lot of strangers. I’ve seen people come through the drive-through with their new puppies, sip coffee in the dining room with friends while mourning the loss of a wife, and stop by to grab a celebratory cookie after their last chemo treatment. I’ve seen many smiles, some tears, and occasional outbursts of anger, but ultimately, what I’ve seen is people experiencing life. Just think about it—every person is carrying their own joys, aches, struggles, frustrations, triumphs, anxieties, and excitements, whether we realize it or not.
You might be thinking, “Well, of course, everyone has a story. That’s obvious.” But I urge you to take a moment to truly let that sink in. When you step back and recognize that each person is moving through their own unique world of emotions and experiences, it changes the way you interact with people. Instead of reacting to rudeness with frustration or indifference, you might find yourself responding with patience and understanding. Instead of trying to get through the checkout line as quickly as possible, you may take a moment to ask someone how their day is really going, or help the elderly gentleman behind you load their grocery cart. Opportunities of kindness are all around us–we just have to take them.
And that brings me to something so simple yet so powerful: a smile.
We may not always have time for deep conversations with our bus drivers, but we always have time for a smile. Think about the last time you were at a store and encountered an employee who seemed completely checked out—no eye contact, no warmth, just rushing through their tasks. You almost feel guilty for needing their help. Now imagine if that same person, despite being busy, took a brief moment to smile at you. It changes everything, doesn’t it? A smile can make people feel seen. It can create a moment of comfort in someone’s otherwise chaotic day. No matter how much is happening around us, we always have the ability to offer that small, meaningful gesture.
But beyond that, you have the power to truly make an impact. You might not think a few kind words or a simple act of warmth matters, but it does. I’ll never forget a time when I was newly hired at Panera as a cashier. I was 16, a sophomore in high school, and had never had a job before. I was scared to work in the drive-through alone, but one thing I knew how to do well was talk to people. One evening around 7 p.m., I took a mother and daughter’s order. I greeted them with my usual, chipper, “Hi! Thanks for stopping at Panera Bread, my name is Molly, and I can take your order whenever you’re ready!” The order proceeded as normal, but when I met them at the window, the mother and daughter were smiling at me. I greeted them and took their payment, all with a smile on my face. They got their food, left, and I continued about my day. A few minutes later, my manager came up to me, and said, “Molly! I just got a call about you. The lady who recently came through the drive-through said that her daughter was having a really bad day, but your positivity and kindness put her in a great mood!”
Oh? All I did was greet them genuinely, smile, and wish them an amazing evening…
Kindness goes a long way. We all have the ability to be a light in someone’s day. It’s a choice we make, moment by moment. Compliment someone’s sweater. Ask how their day is going and really listen to their answer. Offer a little extra patience when someone seems distracted or flustered. These small acts create ripples that extend further than we realize.
So, as you go about your day, remember this: everyone has a story, a smile goes a long way, and you have the power to make someone’s day just a little bit better. The choice is yours—so why not choose kindness?