Day 1,416 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Sunday – 9/19/2021
Birthday
I’ve always been a big believer in how you treat your customers is important. Celebrating my birthday today, I had two really interesting and completely different experiences with two major brands. That got me thinking about my life and my relationships.
Starbucks
The first story is with Starbucks. On Friday, I received an email from them that on my birthday I could use the coupon in the email to order a free drink on my birthday! Woohoo! I am on a Spiced Pumpkin Latte kick right now, and how fun to receive a free treat on my birthday.
So, this morning, I headed to the Starbucks in our hotel and was told, I could not use the coupon as they were an affiliate store. I’ve been in many Starbucks and there was nothing about this store that made me think they were a “different kind of store.” Of course, I was very disappointed though still ordered my latte. Unfortunately, this is not the first time, I’ve tried to use my birthday drink from Starbucks. If you are out of the country and go to Starbucks, the birthday coupon won’t work internationally. I am a Starbucks fan and I visit them often especially while traveling though in this case, I see this as Starbucks overpromising and underdelivering.
United Airlines
On the other hand, Steve and I flew United Airlines home from South Bend. I am a loyal United flyer and currently have Platinum status. On our quick flight from South Bend to Chicago, mid-flight, the flight attendant came up to me and said “Ms. Teegardin, I noticed it was your birthday today and from all of us at United Airlines. I want to wish you a happy birthday,” as she handed me cookies and a napkin with a note on it. I was absolutely blown away by this gesture. Wow! Talking about treating your customers special and overdelivering on expectations!
These experiences really made me think about my own life, in both my business and my personal life. Where do I tell someone, they are special and fall down on the mark by not honoring and keeping my word? And where can I just surprise someone by doing something for them that is completely unexpected?
About “Finding Joy”
And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…
It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip. Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core. I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life. And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents.
I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life. My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others.
Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis. It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.
