HowCanI.com.au

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

The other evening I was walking along Devonshire St in Surry Hills here in Sydney. I was returning from a martial arts class and, in spite of the cold weather, was as warm as toast and feeling invigorated. I call Kung Fu ‘ten ways to choke a bloke.’ (just kidding)

I was approaching a hotel and noticed this young man leaning against a pole. He was smoking. (It has just been made illegal to smoke in hotels)

Our eyes met and he straightened up, moving towards me. I slowed, unsure of what was next. He smiled, as if he knew me and said. “How are you this evening?”

I was surprised and replied. “Fine thank you.”

He smiled and said. “Good to hear.” He then turned to a young woman emerging from the hotel. “Not going home so soon, are we?”

I didn’t hear her reply as I had moved on. His greeting echoed in my mind and got me thinking. What would life be like if everyone greeted a stranger with no agenda other than to acknowledge the other person and connect.

So many people are starved of acknowledgement and have moments of frustration and loneliness. Wouldn’t it be something if people could be honest and free with their emotions?

I decided to make sure I acknowledge someone else and have a meaningful conversation. Just to let them know I care. So far it has been very rewarding. It doesn’t take long to communicate and gain some meaning from the exchange.

I commend it to you.

Regards,

Ollie