Going up? How to boost spirits in a lift

o7Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own

sunshine.

f7 -- ANTHONY J. D’ANGELO

Elevators are interesting microcosms of life. Riding in one gives

you a short amount of time in a small amount of space to experience

other people’s attitudes.

Typically, an elevator ride consists of riding up or down for a

number of floors with total strangers. When in an elevator, most

people seem intent on looking everywhere but in the eyes of someone

else. Even though it contains a captive audience, the ride is often

silent, except for the occasional question “What floor would you

like?”

During the past few months, I’ve ridden in many different

elevators. I know some people may step on an elevator after an

appointment in a doctor’s office, where they heard upsetting news,

and they may not wish to acknowledge anybody else at all. But I was

so pleasantly surprised by the mini-conversations I had recently,

that I wanted to write about them.

After one woman and I got on an elevator, I told her I liked her

purse.

She laughed, thanked me and said, “A friend told me that since I

wore so much black, I should get a bright, zippy purse. So I did, and

it’s a great conversation starter.”

As she left the elevator on her floor, she told me to have a great

day and to look for ways to add zip to life.

Another time, I rode with an elderly woman who had a great smile,

and I told her that.

“Sure, there are things about getting old that I don’t like, but

what will complaining do?” she said. “Even if I have aches and pain,

I don’t have to be a pain to be around.”

One time, an elderly man and I were on the elevator, and he

commented on the beauty of the day. I told him I liked his attitude,

seeing as most people were complaining about the fog.

“Every day that you get to be alive is beautiful,” he said. “My

wife is ill, and every day that we have together is special. It’s too

easy to take things, and people, for granted.”

On my way down the elevator, a young woman who seemed to be

glowing got on and said, “I know I don’t know you people, but I just

found out I’m pregnant, something my husband and I have prayed for

for years. God is so good. Actually, he is good even when prayers

aren’t answered how we want, but I’m especially grateful today.”

My most recent trip on an elevator included a stop to pick up a

mother and her teenage son. They seemed to be continuing a good

conversation, with the boy teasing his mother about how much taller

he was and that he would always be happy to tell her all the things

he could see that she couldn’t because he was so tall.

When we reached the ground floor, he signaled to all of us to exit

before he did. I thanked him for being such a gentleman.

Those few elevator rides were great reminders that no matter what

the weather is like, we can always take some inner sunshine with us,

wherever we go.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

o7cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at 537 Newport Center

Drive, Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.