Challenge

   While waiting at a local restaurant with my daughter for our order, I found myself increasingly agitated. The minutes were ticking by and we had still not received our order. The parking lot was
empty and we were the only customers in the building. After a 30 minute wait, I made my way to the front to see what could have been taking so long. Maybe they had gone on strike...on a smoke break...left the country. Surely there was an explanation for why I had to wait so long to get my order. Didn't they realize I'm a busy woman? As I snapped at the employee, I turned and looked at my daughter. The look on her face told me I was getting bent out of shape for nothing. Parents are supposed to be the ones to teach the lessons, not the kids...right? I gave her a smile and apologized for acting so rude. I could not get that moment out of my head for the rest of the week.
     Before I was unintentionally shamed by my 17 year-old, I wanted to get some justice for having to wait so long. I had my phone and was ready to launch into a social media tirade of the restaurant. After all, isn't that the norm nowadays? When we get less than stellar service, we air our grievances to the Facebook world. We often feel vindicated when we do because our friends chime in with their stories of how the waitress got their order wrong, how they had to wait in line or how horrible the food was. Of course, it feels good at first to vent or as a good friend of mine would say, "verbal vomit." An hour or so later when we come back to our post, we feel like the smallest person on the planet. We can delete the post, but one thing is for sure - the damage is already done.
    Bashing restaurants for their lack of service, complaining about a local business, griping about every single teacher and/or coach your kid has and the other rants we get wrapped up in each day are all toxic. They do absolutely no good and do not change a thing. Trust me,  I'm guilty of engaging in this kind of behavior. I think we all have been guilty at some point of launching into a WWIII Facebook defensive attack. When we do so, phones all over town start buzzing with messages that begin, "Did you see what _______ just posted on Facebook?" Is that really how we want to spend our precious time?
    After giving my behavior quite a bit of thought and seeing post after post after post of people ripping others on Facebook this week, I decided to make a change. First of all, in myself.
     I don't know about you, but when someone pats me on the back for a job well done, it completely changes my day. There's no feeling like knowing someone appreciates you and the job you do. The world is full of negativity, but it doesn't have to be. CHANGE BEGINS WITH US!
   Here is my challenge to you. I'm calling it "Project - Pat on the back" and it is my hope it will flood Facebook! The challenge is simple and the results will be phenomenal!

   The rules are simple:

• For one week, you cannot post a comment complaining about a local business or service. If you get bad food or service, you have to contact the manager. NO talking about it on Facebook!
• Every day for a week, you have to give someone a pat on the back! There are plenty of people to choose from - the young man/woman who carries your groceries out to your car; the carhop at the drive-in; the city workers who work in the sun all day making your town look nice; city leaders; preachers; youth ministers; local law enforcement; postal workers; doctors; nurses; coaches/teachers and the list goes on! Be genuine with your feedback. Be sure and give them a shout out on Facebook as well as in person. Write them a note. Anything! Just let them know they are appreciated! When you give them a shout out on Facebook, be sure and put #projectpatontheback in your comment!
• Share this blog post with your Facebook friends. Encourage them to get in on the challenge as well! 
• At the end of the week, decide to keep going! Make a pledge to keep giving others a pat on the back. I'm quite sure you will find yourself receiving praise as well. Am I out of my mind to think this can start a fire on Facebook? I don't think so! Help "Project - Pat on the back" go viral!

   If you have a great experience from joining in my project, I'd love to hear all about it! Message me on Facebook or send me an email to gingwilson72@gmail.com
    I'm ready for the challenge. Are you?