Try and tell me this doesn't make you smile :)
I was driving to work yesterday during cross walk hours. You know, when the flashers are turned on and you have to slow down to 20 MPH because kids are walking to/from school? As I was cruising at 20 MPH I noticed a young, chipper little crossing guard I'd never seen before. She was groovin' to who knows what and waving enthusiastically to a car passing by. I couldn't help but stare her down (with an incredulous look on my face, I'm sure) when she looked across 4 lanes and caught me staring. My first thought was, "Oh crap! I wish I was wearing my sunglasses so that she couldn't see me staring...." when she gave me a huge smile and waved so hard she almost fell over. I had to wave back, it was obvious I was staring! I made sure I kept a straight face as I waved and then I kinda chuckled over the whole thing. As I kept driving I watched in my rear view mirror and noticed that she waved to every single car... so it wasn't just the ones she caught staring, ha ha! I kind of rolled my eyes and wondered what set her of her rocker that day..... and then I gave myself a huge, mental slap!Why was I being so rude about a woman who was being happy and friendly? Why was I being so rude about a woman who was giving passerbys a reason to smile and brightening our day? I mean, if that doesn't put a smile on your face (for one reason or another...) then I don't know what will! Why was my first instinct to hide behind my sunglasses, or look away before I got caught, instead of smiling and waving enthusiastically as well? This world can be such a dark, angry, unhappy place. Why has it become the norm to hide behind whatever and avoid contact with the millions of humans we pass in our life? We all know that a simple smile or hello can change some one's mood, their attitude that day... maybe even save a life.
I am ashamedly admitting the obvious, my norm is to hide behind my sunglasses, my phone, my baby, my whatever to avoid the "awkward" smile or hello. But not anymore, people! I am a happy person and I refuse to hide that. And you know what? It makes me feel good to be happy, nice, friendly etc. So no more hiding! I'm just going to be myself and even when I want to hide, or I feel nervous, or I'm afraid of making a situation awkward... I'm going to stop avoiding eye contact, plaster a smile on my face and just be friendly. Maybe I can help brighten some one's day and make the world a little happier.
19 comments:
I have loved that having kids gives me a reason to connect with others when I go out. Either having them comment on my kids, or making conversation with other people who have kids. . . they're just an ice breaker!
I've recently made it a goal to try and smile at at least 5 people a day. They might think I'm crazy but they always smile back and it just makes me feel happier in general for doing it :)
kirstyandseth.blogspot.co.uk
A whole hearted AMEN.
Some people find me obnoxious because I'm so overly friendly to strangers and happy. Good for you!
Yes it sucks how now a days someone just saying hi happily surprises us or catches us off guard. Like really? They are just saying hi! I am one that always gets surprised when someone is so chipper and it's true you give a good vibe everyone gets a good vibe too so why not be happy and friendly.
I probably would have done the same, for whatever reason, I am usually surprised when people are nice, but why?? We all should try and be nice! Good post! :)
I love it when people are social!! I do try to be social to everyone when we go out. It not only makes my day better but it passes down to Evie on try to make someones day. :)
Good for you!! I will admit, I always give people a smile or a hello (but honestly, being raised in the south, that is the norm). Now having Charli, it has made me look at this in a whole new perspective though. She waves and says hello to EVERYONE, and I mean everyone. I of course think it is absolutely adorable because I'm her momma, but every single time she does it, I see the huge smile on the peoples faces and as we walk off, they turn around just smiling and giggling. I love it even more because I know she could have made someone's day with her little grin and voice! :) Hope you have a happy friday!
My daughter has totally brought me out of my shell. I'm not shy but I've never enjoyed talk to strangers or just random people in public. Now they all comment to me about her being cute or asking how old she is, especially when she was an infant. I'm sure you know all the extra stuff you have to do and say now that you have a kid. But to be honest, I find that crossing guard really weird hahaha Like it's nice she's so friendly but I mean whatttt is going on with her haha
Love this! I actually was thinking about this exact same thing the other day while I was walking to class and avoiding making eye contact with every single person who passed me on teh sidewalk. It definitely gives you something to think about!
Cute post and a nice reminder to be more positive!
What a great attitude! Your story made me think of this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/18/tinney-davidson_n_4809229.html
I love this post! Such a great reminder to smile and be positive.
yes...it is so much easier to "pretend" you don't see someone. and it's funny you write about this because i was thinking this exactly. i was feeling bad yesterday for not saying hi to another parent while dropping off my son...i kind of pretended to fix his backpack as we walked past. then i thought, why?? maybe because i wasn't at my best, hair wasn't done, wasn't dressed, but how rude and uncool of me to say hi only sometimes. so this morning i walked up with a big smile, waved, and said good morning. it felt good :)
[oomph.]
$600 SPRING Giveaway!
Awesome! A great idea to be more positive :)
Love this post! I've been making an effort to go out of my way to be more friendly and open with people instead of trying to hurry past them and pretend I don't see them or to hide. It's so true what you're saying- you never know how you could brighten someone's day
bahaha! When I was reading and saw that you were mad at her for smiling I was trying to think, "why? Was she not paying attention to her job? Was she too busy listening to music and was not ding her job? I don't get why you're mad." So then when you explained later it made sense. You're a goof Court. It makes me happy to know that there are people like her making other people smile. :)
I love this so much. I think sometimes I'm not as friendly as I should be as some sort of defense mechanism, but I try to remind myself that most of the time people really are just being friendly. I am inspired to try harder at letting my guard down :)
I used to do the same thing, but now I'm totally one of those crazies you see waving to everyone. I think I've learned something from my oldest. He is always so friendly and talks to everyone he meets. Now I start random conversations with the cashiers at Target and people I just meet also. Life is a lot better when you just learn to smile and spread the love! :)
Post a Comment
i admit it. i LOVE hearing from you!