Hello, Benjamin from Brother’s Campfire here!
Yesterday, I dropped the kids off to school and received a call; the Family Medical Leave of Absence paperwork was completed for me to return to work. FMLA is a way to take unpaid time from work for specific family and medical reasons.
Becoming sceptical of the ability of large institutions to get anything done, I went to the local grocery store and purchased a primary source of entry to a woman’s desire, a bag of dark chocolate.
I ensured it was a bag and not a box. Boxes have structure and different meaning unlike a a frumpy bag. I wrapped it in a Walmart bag and popped into the office. The chocolate cost about the same as 5 dozen eggs or 3 gallons of milk.
The receptionist had already apologized to me once the other day for being rude on the phone. She didn’t realize I was a person she would see in person. Life is tough like that.
I stood in line, waiting my turn.
When she was done with a call from another customer, she gave me one of those sweet smiles that I could not interpret and handed me my papers.
The processing of the smile is my fault, not hers.
The paperwork was one-third complete and the information filled out was wrong.
I pointed this out and handed it back, and she was gone for a few minutes.
This process repeated several times. It was like every time I sent it back, one correction was made, but the paperwork was not completed.
Her and the other receptionist started to get irritated with me, but it was they who called and said it was ready. I drove a half an hour one way to get this information and I need it to care for my Beloved and still keep my job.
The game-changer was presented.
“Oh, I forgot, my wife said to give this to you for being so awesome while she was here. “
I handed them the bag and the tension lifted. Chocolate was about to be consumed.
In several minutes, amidst the crinkling sound of plastic wrappers, a whole lot of paperwork was filled out, and I was on my way.
I found thier hidden passion.
I could give a life lesson of “you can get more flies with honey than with vinegar ” and you may be right. I will say, apple cider vinegar will attract the most fruit flies. I will also say that I pay a hefty monthly fee for health insurance that is almost equal to my house payment.
The chocolate was a pre planned bribe, a manipulation that I will use again.
The interaction was a transaction, much like getting one dollar bills for a tip jar. I was willing to pay to get a performance, and I got what I wanted.
There are many times I want to make the world a better place by making someone’s day. However….but the receptionist and whoever else were anticipated bottlenecks to the care of my Beloved.
I would love to give everyone chocolate and make them smile, but I already paid for a service.
I discussed this with a few people prior to writing and someone told me everything in life is a transaction. I disagree. I think there is genuine love that people can have for each other that transcends all that.
Well, off to drink my favorite soda. My wife bought me several when she was at the store with her mother yesterday.
Author: Benjamin
Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...
Dude, I would do just about anything for chocolate. You win!
Hey, I am learning.
Shame you had to resort to bribery for what should have been standard service. 😒
Haha! I am glad you see it that way. There are a few in my circle who see that as par for the course.
😂
I’d like to teach the world to sing/in perfect harmony/I’d like to to by the world a chocolate/and keep it company
Indeed! 🤠🔥
The way to a woman’s heart is through chocolate! Love this post, Ben! 😃
It took 38 years 11 months 27 days to learn! 🤠🔥
I understand. Most things of that nature do take many, many years to learn. 💖🌹💐
Unless she is my mother-in-law, the only woman I ever met who actually hates chocolate
🧐
Haha! There are exceptions. 😊🤗
Hahahaha 😄😄 you are so bad with that temptation lol 😄
You are so funny 😄 very smart man lol – nice lol
That is beautiful love when thinking of the others ❤️
And yes there is actual sincere people who care and love for others without motive or demands. Absolutely – I had some of those in MY life ❤️ I wouldn’t be here without them or their kindness and support!! So yup they DO exist lol ❤️
I try hard at work and I care about people – I don’t usually have any motives ever? Other than at work and I am trying to do my best – I aim lol … I do aim for things and prepare sorta lol – but with work – not personal – never motives there – I’m pretty honest with what I want, and I always help someone in need… I do not like to see suffering
But I do like the “you do you and I do me” era lol … you take someone as they are … but also I severely watch for motives sooo 🤷♀️
But yes I’m telling you, they are there!! I experienced that!! I experienced caring and sincerity – there are truly people like that
I would help another go through cancer or stand up yes … whatever absolutely
This always makes me think of that Christmas movie – “It’s a wonderful life”
If you have not seen it (you must have been under a rock lol 😘 kidding but is a classic!!!) …
The story tells of a man who thinks his life is just horrible and sucks… he is depressed until he meets a angel?
Well anyway he is given the chance to see what the world would have been like – if he had never been born 😮 what ripple effects does one have on another ?
One person makes all the difference – just one impact can change a life so yeah – they out there ❤️😘✌️
Thank you, Trish. I have heard the recording. Great story. We all want to be good ripples.
Well is not even that motive of being good ripple … when others (or everyone) actually care, it makes a huge difference
And sometimes you do not even realize you would be the one who made someone’s day…
Even something like chocolates or just human kindness can make a difference to someone who needs that kind gesture or support.
Sometimes people don’t know others lives so – you never know what another is experiencing.
There were and are several people who have been huge impacts in my life 😮❤️
And at my job – impact happens because is a deep moment in time for most people.
And I had people hold my hand emotionally and be supportive through all my things ❤️ when people do that in the way they did… it was humbling and also beautiful – I am very lucky 🍀❤️ I have incredible people ❤️
You have no idea the impact I got from that 😮❤️ and I have always also been someone’s support and peace for moment … so just saying – I always just wonder what moments they are having … cause you know “life” lol
You don’t try to be a good ripple – it just happens
That makes sense! Thank you for the advice!
No advice lol – just chatter ✌️
I be lovin the chatter!!!!!!
It’s too bad that it took chocolate to get the paperwork done that they had already informed you was finished. That is pretty shoddy work on their part. Glad it is finished though and you can do as you need for your beloved.
Thank you Katelon. I feel they should do the job they are paid for.
Yes!
Good job. A little chocolate goes farther than pounding a fist on the desk and demanding to speak to the manager, I guess.
Lol @ soda transaction.
You were the first to call it out. I have been waiting all day. 🤠🔥
It was so obvious! Lol. People prob worry about offending but I felt I knew you well enough!
And you do, Bubbles! I put than line in there on purpose.
I could tell!
Hahahaha……great share!
This is a great post and story! Chocolate was a great touch! Reminds me of a song from the sixties…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koBiXquzmr8
You will have to refresh my memory, they only go back to 1983
They were popular in the late 1960s when I was in college! A great music group. Coke even used this song as its commercial with a little modification.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seekers
Thank you
Thank you by the way!
You are welcome!
Thank you!🤠🔥
Some won’t move a finger, some goes extra miles, some needs carot dangling, God made us different 😃
Indeed!