The Right Attitude

After the story about the grumpy Bond actor, I was very much deliberating on what to write about next: should it be a continuation, recounting a joyful encounter I had with another Bond actor when we shared a boat ride in Venice, or should it be about something completely different, like a funny story from when I lived in Bologna? 

The answer came in two stages! Firstly, on discussing my predicament, a bright chap said to me, “Go meta! Start by writing thought for the week about thought for the week! It will be interesting to hear the ponderings behind it!”

Secondly, while continuing to mull over at all, I was blown away by someone’s attitude this weekend. I had ventured into central London, on a very rare shopping trip, to spend my birthday voucher. It had been suggested that I purchase a relaxing aroma which would give my apartment that serene feeling. A completely new world to me, I realised that I didn’t even have the vocabulary for my purchase: for example, I now know what a diffuser is! The sales advisor was cheerful and patient, as she talked me through a wide range of possibilities, which included practical scent evaluations, punctuated with a recalibrating of the nose, using a small jar of coffee beans! Throughout the whole experience, I was amazed at her dedication and enthusiasm. She said that she loved her job and even persevered when customers were difficult: on one occasion, after spending a considerable amount of time with a lady, she looked down to key in her purchase order, and was shocked, on looking up again, to find her disappeared!

All in all, I could identify with the importance of doing things from the heart. I love my job and trust that it comes across in my teaching. The Bible tells us that we should do everything from the heart. God has done so much for us that we should be responding in gratitude by working from our hearts, for him.

Therefore, whether it be between the sales executive, the joyful Bond actor, or a character in my Bologna story, they all have more than Italian roots in common: they are all presented with the challenge of working from their hearts, as are we all!


“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.”
Colossians 3:23




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