Lifting Others: There are many ways to live Melaleuca’s mission of enhancing lives. Some involve helping customers shop for safer, higher- quality products or build a Melaleuca business, but others are just simple acts of kindness that help those around you reach their goals. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as a few kinds words and two balloons.
W hen North American Senior Director 4 Ramirez. Laurie and Christine had gotten to know each other a little Laurie’s from previous visits to the shop. When Laurie saw her today, it was obvious from the look on Christine’s face that she wasn’t having the best day. “Christine, what’s going on?” Laurie said. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for this management thing,” Christine said. “I’m really struggling.” “You know, you’re going to be an amazing leader,” Laurie said. “You have to give yourself the opportunity to grow into the role. Remember, this is part of your training!” Christine’s face brightened. “Oh, thank you!” As Laurie pulled away from the curb of the coffee shop, another idea occurred to her. Go buy Christine a balloon. It was something small that could help lift her mood. Laurie turned her car in the direction of the local party store and purchased two yellow, smiley-faced balloons. When she arrived at the coffee shop with two bright, bobbing balloons, everyone who saw them smiled. “Can you get Christine for me?” Laurie asked a shop employee. When Christine walked to the front of the store, her eyes lit up. “These are for you,” Laurie said. “You’re doing something wonderful and you won’t believe what’s going to happen at the end of your journey. Just give yourself a little time and grace. You’ll be Laurie Pisciotta pulled into the local coffee shop a few weeks ago, she was tired from a long day and ready to go home. But then she saw the coffee shop’s manager-in-training Christine “Oh, thank you!” Christine said. “I had such a hard day today. I was questioning a lot of things. And tomorrow’s actually my birthday.” “Oh, that’s so amazing!” Laurie said. “Have a happy birthday.” She drove away from the coffee shop re-energised. Those two little balloons not only lifting up Christine, but her as well. If this story ended here, it would be a wonderful example of small kindnesses and the importance they have in building relationships and enhancing lives. But little did Laurie know, those two little balloons were about to lift many more people. awesome at the leadership role.” Christine’s eyes filled with tears.
The next day when Laurie pulled into Tackan Elementary School, those two balloons were the farthest thing from her mind. A teacher by profession, she sometimes substituted for local schools in addition to building her Melaleuca business. Today she would be teaching in a fourth grade class. Laurie was only 30 minutes into the math lesson when there was a commotion among the students. Someone had said something unkind and one of the students was in tears. “Everybody put your books down,” Laurie said to the class. “I want you to take a minute and look around at all the people in this classroom. There are 27 children here. That means you come from 27 different households, with 27 different experiences. Maybe the child sitting next to you had to get up at 7 o’clock to make breakfast for their siblings because their parents are working two jobs. Maybe the person sitting across from you lost their lunch on the bus and they’re stressed out.” As Laurie talked about different scenarios, the kids looked thoughtfully around the room. “You have to remember we’re here to lift each other up,” Laurie said. “The words you say, once they’re out of your mouth, you can’t take them back. Look for ways to lift people up. The kinds words you say to somebody might be the only nice thing they hear all day.” The class talked about ways they could lift each other up. Little compliments they could share or small acts of kindness. Laurie shared her own small act of kindness from the day before. When she finished, a little boy in the back of the room raised his hand. “Mrs. Pisciotta, that was my mum you gave the balloons to!” the boy exclaimed. “I saw those balloons in the kitchen this morning and my mum said they came from a really nice lady at the coffee shop. I can’t believe you’re my teacher today!”
31 MAY 2017 | MELALEUCA.COM
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