Here\u2019s a story to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Mike\u2019s turn at the register at the grocery store. With his cell phone pinned between his ear and his shoulder he was trying to talk with his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHoney,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can\u2019t eat dinner with the Cohens. I have a board meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same moment, the grocery clerk said, \u201cHi sir. Do you have a loyalty card?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still talking with his wife, Mike said, \u201cI told you about the board meeting last month.\u201d Without addressing the grocery clerk, he handed over his loyalty card. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The clerk asked, \u201cWould you like a receipt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Mike shook his head at the clerk and took his groceries, he continued talking into his phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The clerk called after him: \u201cHave a nice day!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mike shrugged affirmatively as he walked out of the store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The venerable sage Shammai \u2014 although it\u2019s unlikely that he was referring specifically to the grocery checkout line \u2014 instructed us many centuries ago to \u201creceive everyone with a cheerful face.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Hebrew the phrase \u201ca cheerful face\u201d contains three words: sever panim yafos<\/em>, which give us an important three-fold bit of advice on greeting people with shalom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The root of the first word, sever<\/em>, means \u201cthoughtful.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n When greeting someone we should show interest in them, and interact thoughtfully. We shouldn\u2019t be thoughtless, insensitive, or inattentive. To put everything else on hold and give someone your full attention communicates powerfully just how significant and important they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The second word, panim<\/em>, means \u201cface.\u201d We should turn our faces and look directly at the person we’re speaking with. Our face is like our front door; it\u2019s the part of us that we show the world. We should make it welcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last word, yafos<\/em>, means \u201cpleasant.\u201d We have to smile. Show some teeth, even. Indicate that we appreciate the person in front of us. Giving a smile instantly sends waves of warmth and goodwill along with it. We should be a source of pleasantness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A day is a series of interactions between people, each one of which is an opportunity for our shalom personality to shine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try this today: In conversation, make sure to really focus on the person you\u2019re talking to with your attention, your face, and your smile.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In Week 1 of Clean Speech Colorado, we\u2019ll discuss how to develop a shalom personality, how to be a person who cares about shalom, and who speaks and acts in a way that enhances shalom around them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-821","daily-lesson","type-daily-lesson","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-normal"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n