“Energy is contagious, positive and negative alike.  I will forever be mindful of what and who I am allowing into my life.”

Dear Universe,

As you know, in the last few years I have become more and more aware of how important the energy we give to others is.  And while I am far from being a saint, I do try to be conscious of the vibes I give to others being positive, loving ones.

I find that typically, being positive attracts more positive.

But sometimes the positive energy I give isn’t always received or reciprocated.

About a week ago I was at a coffee shop and I placed an order for two iced coffees.  When the barista put them in front of me, I realized I had ordered one of them wrong.  Not wanting to disappoint my friend, I very politely explained that I had ordered the wrong coffee and placed the correct order.

The barista did not look pleased.

I went on to offer paying for all three coffees and I apologized profusely.

She said nothing as she walked away to remake the coffee.

I felt terrible.  I looked around and saw the coffee shop was busy and it made me feel worse.  When the barista came back again, with the new coffee in hand, I thanked her multiple times and apologized again for my error.

I was consciously trying to give off good energy.

She looked at me, said “no problem” in a tone that implied we totally had a problem, and rung me up.  I left a large tip to compensate for her wasted time and she left to move on to the next customer.

I walked out of the coffee shop feeling down and bothered about this experience.  Why couldn’t my energy bring about a more pleasant exchange?

Of course, I know the answer, but that didn’t make me feel better.

We can’t control how other people will act or react to us.  We can’t control their energy any more than we can control the weather.

All we can do is give out the best we can and know that’s enough.

It’s hard when our intentions aren’t received the way we would like them to be.  But the alternative would mean we stop trying and that’s not really an alternative.

“Not everyone is going to want, accept, or know how to receive your energy.  Make peace with that and keep on.”

The truth is everyone we encounter is fighting a battle we know nothing about.  Maybe the barista was having a bad day, worried about a loved one, or just not feeling well.  Maybe it was really just about the inconvenience I caused, but it doesn’t matter.

Choose to still be kind, even when it’s difficult—especially then.  (Tweet that!)

Some people will naturally appreciate and reciprocate it.  While others—for whatever reason—will have a harder time doing that.

Choose to be loving anyway.

Keep on giving out your love and energy the best way you know how.  Keep on spreading light and upbeat vibes whenever you can.  When it’s not received the way you want, let it go and move on.

Because even when you can’t see it, your energy does make a difference, even on a vibrational level.

I want to leave you with this story as an unexpected example that recently came to my attention.

Sometimes I go to the drive-thru to get a coffee—at a different coffee shop (Hey, I need my coffee!)  Even though I can’t see the person I am speaking with, I always ask how he is before placing my order.  I never thought anything of this until a few weeks ago when I pulled up to the window and he said, “I knew it would be you.”  When I asked why, he said, “You are the only customer who ever asks how I am.”  That made me smile.  Since then our conversations have grown and become even friendlier.

The point is this: Sometimes your energy isn’t received or reciprocated, but sometimes your energy is returned tenfold.

Give what you can, with what you have, and don’t worry about the outcome.  You’ll feel a lot better once you commit to kindness, regardless of the reaction.

With Gratitude,

A