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Where’s the blessing in all this? My return to being a cashier has taught me a lot about myself, a lot about the river of life, a lot about the beautiful people with money. I am learning.

I’m also making $16 an hour before taxes. Granted on July 1 my healthcare will move from the ACA Marketplace to a corporate subsidized plan. My deductible will go from $8,000 to $1,500. I’m already contributing the maximum amount to my 401k with 2% matching. (free money). But it’s not enough to make my mortgage payment, let alone gas, food, electricity.

There is a massive blessing in this disruption of my comfortable life. I understand the common worker again. I am part of a team that tries to be kind. I still run into people who rub me the wrong way (the military dude wearing his gear to work, for example) but for the most part I’m learning to just BE, just LOVE, and continue to BE KIND.

The mantra helps. My self-regulation helps. My creative imagination helps. And, actually the flow of beautiful people helps. People watching carries hope. Hope for mankind. Hope for me. And hope for them, that they are getting the food and nourishment part of their lives together.

I am blessed. I have two children who are semi-launched adults. I have excellent health, with no prescriptions keeping me alive. I am am a competitive tennis player, and I play 4 – 5 times a week. I’m thriving in all but my cash flow. There are rumors that some advancement is possible for me in August. But, as I came in as an enlisted man, that probably means a $1 an hour raise. That’s not going to do it.

I wonder if my time as the happy cashier is done? Or should I make good on my idea of interviewing the happiest cashiers in my store? Or move on to the job interview that’s happening next week?

This hardship is a blessing. It’s “real life” so most of America. This sample set, shopping at an expensive organic grocery store is for an elite set. They can afford it. Many of them are shopping during work hours. They are mostly dressed in Yoga gear, having just come from a mid-day yoga class.

I get it. I’m not lusting after them or their lifestyles. I’m working on myself and my self-awareness. I’m learning about my tolerance for crappy behavior from my superiors. And I’m persevering. There is some other goal here. Something about life, happiness, and contentment even as a grocery store cashier.

“Hi, I’m so glad you’re here.”

[Listen to the Deep Dive explore the concepts of The Happy Cashier.]

The hope I see in others
becomes the hope I have for myself,
my life, and my own journey.
– The Happy Cashier

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ALT: Botisatva’s Bookshelf | The Happy Cashier Podcast

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