In far too many public and private spaces, I am compelled to close my mind and say no.
Tune out commercial messages designed to make me feel bad and buy stuff. Close my ears to voices telling me that illegal immigrants, welfare mothers and people-not-like-me are trying to steal my money. Ignore banner ads and pop-ups. Titrate the flood of nutritional information and try to determine what’s important and credible.
No, you cannot have my phone number when I make a small cash purchase. No, I do not want donuts-or-muffins with my coffee. No, I don’t have your RewardsCard and don’t want one. No, I do not want to schedule an appointment to have my teeth whitened and I will not ask my doctor about [insert drug name here].
In my library, I can open my mind and heart and say yes.
It’s easy to open my eyes to titles in the new book section, for the collection has been acquired and curated to best suit my local interests. I’m open to attending the geneology talk because I see the names of a few people I know on the sign-up sheet. I’m open to work a shift at the book sale because it’s fun and gives me first dibs on cheap books.
Yes, I’ll acknowledge that toddler who proudly thrust the Big Elmo book in my direction. Yes, I’ll slow my step a bit so I don’t run over the senior volunteers who have come to fold the newsletters. Yes, I heard my neighbor was taken to the hospital, and did you hear she’s going to be okay? Yes, I’m interested enough in that DVD to have you purchase it for the collection.
How good it feels to say YES!
