This morning I enjoyed a fabulous bike ride with my son Ethan – on his way to school – which opened up a new connection and more inspired thoughts. He waved to an older gentleman on the other side of the road, and I asked Ethan if he knows the man and he said “I just wave to him and he waves back. He feels special then and I do too.”
It’s the essence of my Do Talk To Strangers philosophy. Make someone’s day. When you acknowledge someone you place value on them. People matter. Every person matters. You don’t know their story; you don’t know how much they might need a smile, an acknowledgement of their existence. You probably don’t know how much you need it sometimes too! We all love to know that we’ve made a difference somehow. A smile is an easy way to do this. 
Ethan and I parted ways as he was turning right to complete the trip to school and I rode back, catching up with the walker we’d waved to, (whose name is Charles). I rode past slowly and said “Good morning!” then pulled up beside him and said “my son said he usually waves to you”. He said “oh yes, I often see him”. I told him what Ethan had said (Charles beamed) and I asked him if he saw many students smiling and waving. Charles told me he thinks society is less friendly these days, and supposes it’s “progress” – so I couldn’t help but share that I’m writing a book to help us progress to a more connected world. He laughed as he said “a smile is cheap!” Yes. It doesn’t cost us and it makes a difference.
We stood on the side of the street for a few minutes chatting about where we’re from, and discovered mutual friends. Charles said, with delight “Well you learn something new!” about talking to strangers ☺It’s a comment I often hear, something that people love about making a new connection. While you’re connecting with another human being, your brain is making countless new connections, which is energizing. I reflected on the way home about how the brain doesn’t really care about whether it’s something really important that it’s learning; it just loves the new connections and rush of happy chemicals.
SO, do you want to join the fun this week?
Do Talk To Strangers ☺ Simple Steps!
Step 1. Smile and wave ☺
Step 2. Call out “Good morning!” to at least one person a day.
If you don’t see anyone in the mornings, get out for a walk, park the car further away from the building you’re heading to, so that you have more chance of seeing people… Position yourself for hello’s!
Step 3. Take note of how you feel. What have you learned about yourself and/or others?
Bonus Step! Drop me a line if you have excitement to share! Or if you’d like a presentation in your company or at your conference about Connecting Confidently – Anywhere with Anyone. Let’s change the world through genuine connectivity.
Check out this video – students connecting with an old lady! Beautiful :)
[youtube]http://youtu.be/F1wWhLzDRIY[/youtube]
