A Lesson in Humility

The Day my Token of Appreciation was Trashed

I have often shared how much love and happiness these little tokens of appreciation spread but today I want to share a story of “rejection” that changed how I think about handing these out.

Two years ago, I took a handful of these on my regular grocery/shopping spree to Target.

My plan? The usual: hand them out to the everyday workers who are restocking the pantry or helping people find a lamp or recommending the best chew toy for a puppy.

These little surprise tangible tokens of appreciation for their service that would undoubtedly make them smile.

The first three were magical moments.

Grins, eyes welled up with tears, and heartfelt hugs. It was exactly the connection I’d imagined based on past experiences.

My heart was full.

But then came the fourth…

I approached the middle-aged cashier, artwork in hand.

He bagged my items expeditiously without making eye contact and handed me the receipt.

In return, I handed him my last little token of gratitude.

Before I could say anything, he swiftly discarded it in the trash, assuming it was scrap paper.

I was so shocked I couldn’t find words.

It was like time froze while the moment replayed in slow motion in my head.

My daughter, then eight years old, was equally stunned but urged me to speak up.

But as I turned, I saw him rushing through the last two customers, glancing at his watch desperately trying to get through the day.

In that moment, I realized my handmade token held less value to him than finishing his shift and heading elsewhere.

Whatever awaited him was more important than my gesture of appreciation.

I still remember his face.

I still remember that feeling of shock.

I still remember how, in that one moment, I went from feeling rejected, angry and upset to feeling humbled and empathetic.

In that moment of clarity, I realized that my ego could never be part of this project.

If people appreciate these tokens and feel valued, it’s a wonderful bonus.

But if they disregard the gesture, that’s okay too.

My heart fills up by creating these little artful tokens of love, and my job is simply to hand them out.

How they’re received? That’s not for me to control.

So, to all my crafty friends out there:

• Keep creating.

• Keep giving.

• Keep spreading kindness.

Your handmade gestures matter, even if you don’t always see the impact.

Kindness matters. Just remember that.

P.S. in the last six years of handing these out, this was the only such instance.