🌟Weekly Inspiration🌟

Kids are often raised not to talk to strangers (despite stats that consistently demonstrate that strangers rarely hurt children, it’s people close/or related to kids that are the ones that actually hurt them). Adults increasingly talk to fewer strangers on a daily basis. Some people really don’t know their neighbors. Now life is more convenient—everything can be ordered on Amazon, groceries can be delivered home, and communication through tech platforms is popular. People attend church services far less than they used to. People can work from home. Even therapy can be on zoom nowadays. People are communicating less and less with others that don’t share their point of view.

One could have a self-contained life, with very little chatter with people (especially strangers) if they wanted to.

I notice a positive impact on my mood when I talk to strangers. I prefer going in person to run my errands, being out amongst others, and chatting up my Target cashier/waiter/bank teller. I find people interesting and sometimes have the nicest interchange with strangers. I like to smile at people, express my gratitude, and model good manners and interest in front of my children. My 15 year old and I had the most fun 30-minute conversation with an 80 year old Harley Davidson driver in a DMV Line just yesterday. I genuinely enjoy these conversations and it shows—and I think it’s been one of my secrets to happiness over the years.

From a distance, the world can feel lonely, cruel, and overwhelming. I know why some people want to retreat. However, up close--people are kind, fascinating, and we far more similar than we are different. I work with youth—and I do get concerned that they are so fearful, anxious, have poor social skills, and some truly struggle to make conversation. We are in a loneliness epidemic. There is a relatively simple fix within our grasp if we would just open our eyes, smile, and say hello.

Ask Yourself

Was I raised to avoid talking to strangers?
As an adult, do I ever chat with strangers?
Am I rushing through life or do I pause, look people in the eye, smile, and greet them?
What do I notice about my children and their interactions?
Am I able to be open minded to people that might be different than myself?
Do I feel cringy about this whole idea? If so, why?

Be well!