This might seem kind of random, and in fact it kind of is. But that is neither here nor there. I have noticed something over the past few years that continues to come to mind despite my many attempts to put it on the back burner and leave it there. What is it? Good question.
I have noticed that the majority of people with whom I come into contact don’t make eye contact with me in passing. In fact a good majority of that majority seemingly goes out of their way to avoid making any eye contact with me, which is fine. If that’s what they want to do, I certainly respect their decision.
However, I am one of those people who usually makes it a point to make eye contact with people whom I encounter in passing, and I usually couple that eye contact with a pleasant “hi,” “hello,” or “good morning/afternoon/evening.” That’s just me.
I guess the way that I look at it is in the context of using my eye contact and greeting to acknowledge the other person’s presence, the fact that they are occupying space and taking in and expelling air, a.k.a. breathing. In my eyes we are living beings who all are important and have a right to be acknowledged, even if in a small albeit quick way.
Now, the purpose of this exploration is not to complain – there is enough of that already on the internet. Besides, complaining is not something that I am interested in doing. On the contrary, my intention is to thank everyone out there who makes it a point to make eye contact with and greet people with whom you come into contact in passing, whether or not you know them personally.
Thank you!
It really does mean a lot. We never know what people are dealing with or what is dealing with them. We oftentimes have no idea where people are at emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. More often than not these things are not clearly evident from a two-second once-over. But taking the time to acknowledge another person’s existence, even in passing, can be just the thing that they need to propel them forward into their day, lift them up, or even simply remind them that they are visible, and vice versa.
So, the next time that we find ourselves passing others while negotiating the adventurous corners of our lives, may we remember to acknowledge those with whom we find ourselves sharing space and time, however fleeting it may be. be blessed #sanguinemango
Sanguine Mango 