My Favorite Places on Earth

This week I was able to spend some time at two of my most favorite places on earth.

First, while attending a convention in Orlando I was able to go to Walt Disney World for a day. Our family has been visiting Disney World for over 20 years, long before my wife and I were married or even had kids. It is truly magical in all sense of what Walt wanted it to be. 

Also, I visited Chick Fil A this week. Now I grew up on Chick Fil A, have eaten there a ton of times in my lifetime, and have a lot of respect for this company in general. But having lived in Michigan for 12 years most recently, I wasn’t able to visit them too much as they do not have Chick Fil A restaurants in Michigan. That has changed since moving back to the South and particularly to the Nashville area. (now I actually live 1 mile from one Chick Fil A and 2.2 miles from another! I can – and do – have Chick Fil A food as much as I want now!).

Both of these companies exude and teach a particular experience for their guest that is worth noticing as a Real Christian Businessman.

Disney World is all about having “magical” moments. Besides designing the theme parks to create once in a lifetime experiences, if you were to lose your ticket for example, they will go out of their way to make sure you not only get a replacement but will make sure you get an extra fast pass for your favorite ride as well (or something you didn’t expect them to do along those same lines). Or, if a ride breaks down while you are waiting (or you have to wait an extra long time), and you mention something about it to an employee, they will listen intently and earnestly, then go out of their way to do something to make it better for you that will exceed your expectations (this has happened to me on more than one occasion). They want you to leave Disney World thinking that it was the best experience you have ever had, even if something didn’t go your way as much as you wanted it to.

At Chick Fil A, they always answer you by saying” my pleasure”, as if it is a pleasure to serve you. I have seen this over and over again, taking it for granted most of the time when it happens, and have even witnessed the employees saying this to customers that are not the nicest folks in the first place. As someone said to me most recently, “They actually seem like they are sincere about saying ‘my pleasure’ every single time.” I would agree.

Have you every been to one of these places? How did it make you feel when you were at Disney World? Did you appreciate someone saying “my pleasure” when you were getting a chicken sandwich at Chick Fil A?

We easily forget about the little things that happen around us like they do at Disney World or Chick fil A. The kindness that is shown. The intentional actions that companies like this do to make sure everyone has a great experience.

Remember their kindness today.

Remember how it makes you feel to patronize places like this.

Then use this reminder to treat others around you in a way that makes them feel even better than they did before crossing your path.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” Phil 2:3 NIV