Tuesday, August 11, 2026

What’s Working

For readers looking for what’s still working in the world

KindnessUpworthy

She got fired from her bank job on the way home, sat on the train, said a prayer. Her phone rang 15 seconds later.

In a world where job loss often leads to a spiral of uncertainty and self-doubt, the story of a woman who lost her bank teller position due to an $800 error offers a refreshing narrative of resilience and faith. Instead of succumbing to despair, she chose gratitude, offering thanks for the job she had held, and within moments, received a phone call offering a new opportunity. This swift turn of events underscores the power of maintaining a positive outlook and the potential ripple effects of kindness and service noted by others.

The rapid sequence of events from firing to re-employment highlights a crucial lesson: our interactions and the way we conduct ourselves in our roles often pave paths we cannot foresee. Her story, shared widely on TikTok, serves as a testament to the belief that the way we treat others can create unseen opportunities. It's an inspiring reminder that kindness and gratitude can yield tangible results, sometimes faster than we might expect.

Constructive analysis

The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.

The problem
The challenge the story responds to is the emotional and practical upheaval of losing a job unexpectedly.
The actions
The woman responded with gratitude and faith, choosing to focus on the positive aspects of her past employment.
Evidence of progress
The immediate job offer she received, based on her reputation for kindness, illustrates the impact of her past actions.
What we can learn
Others can learn the value of maintaining a positive attitude and treating colleagues well, as these actions can lead to unforeseen opportunities.
PERMA wellbeing profile of this story

Seligman's five pillars of wellbeing, as expressed in this story.

Positive Emotion
8
Engagement
7
Relationships
9
Meaning
8
Accomplishment
7
PERMA

Character strengths in play

Top VIA strengths this story embodies.

  • Gratitude

    Instead of sitting with the loss, she prayed. Not a prayer asking for something, but one offering thanks.

  • Kindness

    The call came specifically because someone had noticed how she’d treated people at the job she’d just lost.

  • Hope

    Whether you read this as faith, coincidence, or just good karma catching up fast, the lesson underneath it holds up either way.

Try this today

Inspired by this story, take a moment to reflect on a recent challenge. Write down three things you are grateful for about the experience and consider how these aspects might lead to future opportunities.