Last week, while paying for some merchandise at a local store, the clerk said some perfunctory greeting about how my day was going. I replied automatically and then for some reason made eye contact with her and asked how her day was going. She paused, brightened considerably, and responded. All this took only a moment but cheered both of our days. I resolved to connect more with people who greet me for whatever reason – but resolutions can require repatterning habits of a lifetime.
Yesterday, walking down the hallway of a hotel, once again almost oblivious to the world around me, a maid coming out of a room greeted me. I almost passed her by before I paused and returned her greeting. She looked startled for moment and then we both smiled at each other before going on our ways.
What did I learn from all this?
Sometimes in life, it takes only a moment to acknowledge another person whom we encounter but the impact of the action can shape an entire day’s experience.
It is so easy to move through a day immersed in our own world oblivious to lost opportunities to create positive energy in our environment.
Changing behavior takes time, persistence and patience with ourselves.
Challenge for the week: Take the time to sincerely respond in kind to greetings from others.
Judy Warner
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