It's so enjoyable to encounter upbeat people, particularly when it's in the context of them doing their job.

Let's face it, there can be trying times where the best intentions for a positive and productive day can be sent reeling by unplanned or unpleasant circumstances.

That's why we're all the more grateful for people like flag person Carry Thomas, who dances while directing traffic through the intersection of Fourth and Battle during the construction happening there on The Pines apartment building.

She truly brightens people's days, if calls to the newspaper about her are any indication — and we've received a steady stream of them.

Whether drenched by torrential rains or sweating in the sweltering sun, both of which we've encountered regularly of late, Thomas brightens people's days with her groovy, yet graceful, moves and cheery smile, keeping both workers and drivers safe.

We've heard some drivers even opt to loop around the block so they can watch her again, while usually people do their utmost to avoid construction zones and the extra time waiting in them adds on to one's commute.

Pitting oneself with a visi-vest, hardhat and sign against moving vehicles is dangerous work; some figures suggest one in three flaggers will be killed or injured sometime during their career.

These workers also have to put up with road rage jerks who become angry and abusive to flaggers, acting as though the construction and ensuing delays are the flag person's fault.

So finding a way to catch drivers' attention by dancing through her days not only makes the job of directing traffic fun for Thomas and lifts the days of those that see her, but also makes the area safer for herself, those working and drivers. It would be tough for even the most inattentive driver not to notice her!

The rest of us would do well to take a page from Thomas and approach our own jobs and lives with the same level of creativity and enthusiasm.

We tip our hats to her for making our city a safer and cheerier place.

(See a video of her dancing on our website: kamloopsnews.ca/video).