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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Jacob lost his first stable job in a while just because he chose to help an older woman that morning. He didn\u2019t expect the sweet, helpless old woman to have a whole other side \u2013 that would end up getting him his job back.<\/p>\n
If you had to survive the avalanche of struggles of your life without getting bitter about them, you had to think like Jacob.<\/p>\n
Jacob lived alone in a tiny apartment, which he always left in half a mess. That\u2019s because he figured that it was going to get messy again the following day anyway.<\/p>\n
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Jacob had two shirts, both had a button missing, and the fabric around the collar was a brown that not even the best detergent could whiten.<\/p>\n
But it didn\u2019t matter because every place he worked had provided a uniform of its own.<\/p>\n
He liked to think of himself as a bit of a renaissance man \u2014 in the past year alone, he had worked as a plumber, a parking lot attendant, a ticket taker, a shampooer, and, nobody knew this, a backup dancer in a music video.<\/p>\n
Since last month, Jacob had finally found a steady job in town. He worked as an attendant at the oldest grocery store in the neighborhood. He was excited to add another uniform to his backpack \u2013 and he really liked the look of this one, too.<\/p>\n
He was unusually chirpy that morning. He was proud of himself for making his bed and leaving his room cleaner than usual. He had rehearsed the perfect conversation starter with Rita, the cashier, and he had timed his morning to arrive at the store 5 minutes before his shift.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally, a good day!\u201d Jacob said out loud, nodding his head to strangers who passed him by.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
An older woman smiled back with equal enthusiasm, which added to Jacob\u2019s happiness.<\/p>\n
But a second after they crossed paths, Jacob heard a thud, followed by a frustrated voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, isn\u2019t this just wonderful! $2 for a paper bag that can\u2019t even hold groceries for a 10-minute distance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob turned around, and it was the same woman who had smiled at him a few seconds ago. Only this time, she was mumbling under her breath, trying to chase the apples and potatoes rolling along the pavement while struggling to hold a broken bag full of groceries.<\/p>\n
\u201cMove it along, lady!\u201d a stranger shoved the old woman aside and sped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, isn\u2019t that a lovely attitude to live with?\u201d Jacob spoke loudly enough for the stranger to listen.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI have just the thing to help you, ma\u2019am,\u201d he told the woman and pulled out two folded cloth bags from his backpack.<\/p>\n
\u201cVoila! Now please, stand back and let all that anger go while I pack these groceries up for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman was heartened by the strange man\u2019s kindness and amused by his buoyant mood.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you so much for helping this oldie out, Mr\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, just call me Jacob. And you\u2019re more than welcome. What I did for you is actually what I do for a living these days. I work at the Freshmart store.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, you do? Sorry, but I stand by my opinion of their paper bags. Too flimsy!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t agree more, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, please, call me Stacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The conversation continued so smoothly that before they knew it, Stacy and Jacob had walked all the way to her house. Jacob had volunteered to carry the groceries for her without her even asking.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is incredibly sweet of you, Jacob. Come in, let me make you a coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no, ma\u2019am, thank you. I\u2019m already late for work. I\u2019ll see you around!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob ran as fast as he could, but the blisters from his worn-out shoes held him back.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
When he finally arrived at the store huffing and puffing, an angry store owner was waiting with rolled-up sleeves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time does your shift start?\u201d The man\u2019s voice was even grumpier than his face.<\/p>\n
\u201c12 noon, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what is the time now?\u201d The store owner had raised his voice.<\/p>\n
\u201c12:10 p.m., sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what does that say about you?\u201d The boss was beginning to enjoy this quizzing format.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat I\u2019m\u2026late?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat you are UNPROFESSIONAL!\u201d the man yelled, balling his fists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith all due respect, sir. I might be many things, but not\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The store owner wasn\u2019t going to allow himself to be argued with. Not in front of a packed store. \u201cYou! Get out! You\u2019re fired! I don\u2019t want lazy people like you working at my store.\u201d<\/p>\n
The calmness on Jacob\u2019s face disappeared. He knew he couldn\u2019t afford to lose this job.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, sir, please. I actually left my home earlier than usual this morning. But there was an old lady who needed help on the way. She was carrying a heavy bag of groceries, and the handle of the bag snapped, throwing all her things into the pavement. I just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, so kindness is the excuse of your choice, is it? Very original! That changes nothing. If you want to stand on the pavement and help passers-by carry their groceries, do that. Don\u2019t waste my time and money.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, sir\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSave it. Wear that stupid cheerful smile on your face again and get out of my store!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Another lost opportunity,\u2019 Jacob thought as he stood outside the shop and lit a cigarette. \u2018Why can\u2019t I manage to stick to one job? Why can\u2019t I seem to make something out of my life? Maybe my father was right. I am a horrib\u2014\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, Jacob! I was hoping I\u2019d see you here!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob nodded with an empty smile, putting out his cigarette. It was the old woman, Stacy, from earlier.<\/p>\n
\u201cI brought you a fresh batch of cakes from the apples you helped me salvage this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob was moved by Stacy\u2019s kind gesture.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo on inside. There\u2019s plenty for you and all your colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob\u2019s face grew grim again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d Stacy was concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just got fired. The store owner sent me away for being 10 minutes late. I told him why I was late, but it didn\u2019t seem to matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Arnold fired you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob was surprised to hear his boss\u2019s name out of the woman\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know my boss?\u201d<\/p>\n
We need more kindness in this world \u2013 stand up for it when you can.
\n\u201cOf course I do! He can be a real pain sometimes, with his anger always at the tip of his nose. But this is not done!\u201d Stacy switched from sounding like a sweet, caring old lady to a fierce teacher.<\/p>\n
\u201cArnold? Arnold!\u201d Stacy created a scene with her shrill voice and quick steps. Jacob tried to stay as far behind as he could.<\/p>\n
\u201cAunt Stacy, hi! How can I help you today?\u201d Arnold was surprised to see her for the second time that day.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, don\u2019t give me that!\u201d Stacy blurted impatiently.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you fire this young man for being late today?\u201d Stacy pointed at Jacob, who was trying not to look directly at his former boss.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t understand. How do you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe told me he was helping an old woman on the street, didn\u2019t he? Well, guess who that woman was, Arnold? Me!\u201d<\/p>\n
The store employees had stopped their work midway, and the customers were invested, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been warning Cindy that her boy was getting out of hand. First, you don\u2019t call her for two weeks straight, saying you\u2019re always busy, you forget your mother\u2019s 70th birthday, and now this? Is this what you\u2019re busy doing, Arnie? Bossing people around and firing them for showing an ounce of kindness? Do you even remember what kindness is, Arnie? Is this what you\u2019ve grown up to become? I doubt this is the same boy I helped my friend raise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, alright, aunt Stacy!\u201d Arnold interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no idea it was you he was helping. And anyway, it shouldn\u2019t have mattered. I\u2019ve just been so stressed with work here that I\u2026I took it out on this well-intentioned man. It wasn\u2019t right of me. I realize that now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure you do? Because I\u2019m ready to lecture you for another hour if that\u2019s what it takes!\u201d Arnold held her, pleading for her to calm down, much to the amusement of the staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cJacob, I apologize for how I acted earlier. You can have your old job back. Actually, I\u2019m also going to take a look at your salary. You deserve more than I pay you because you have much more work experience. Let me fix that in the coming week. For now, would you please join back?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob froze, standing right by the frozen foods section. He couldn\u2019t believe what had just happened and that a sweet old lady had schooled his boss into hiring him back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, don\u2019t just stand there, Jacob!\u201d Stacy instructed Jacob enthusiastically. \u201cGet back to it! The first task on your list: distribute these cakes to everyone. They\u2019re getting cold!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jacob lost his first stable job in a while just because he chose to help an older woman that morning. He didn\u2019t expect the sweet, helpless old woman to have a whole other side \u2013 that would end up getting him his job back. If you had to survive the avalanche of struggles of your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13927"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13927\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13934,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13927\/revisions\/13934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}