I've been pondering some serious thoughts for more than awhile. These thoughts reflect the feelings I'm experiencing during my morning walks through our neighborhood.
Maybe it's because I grew up in a small town and it was common practice to greet everyone you met with a smile and hello. It was kind of opposite of today. If you did not respond then they would think you to be kind of strange or a snob!
Quite possibly my feelings come from my upbringing by wonderful caring and sharing parents. They taught me a valuable lesson. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. Maybe the unfriendly folks really don't care either way whether someone says hello to them. I hope that's not the case. If it is then we really have a problem folks!
Could it be that's just who I am?
That's a picture of my friend Julie and I on the front porch of her shop.
As I look at this picture I can't help but ponder these thoughts even more.
As I walk though my neighborhood each and every morning and meet folks along the way sometime they act as though I'm invisible. Actually it's more than sometime! The past four years or so during the walks I have found that it's a fifty, fifty chance that the person you walk by will acknowledge you with a hello!
What's up?
I realize some folks are experiencing a bad day. Or maybe you just don't feel like talking to anyone. No excuse folks!
Nope, I'm not going to accept that!
At first I thought this pattern was mainly with younger people. A reflection of "Stranger Danger" taught in our schools. Not the case sweets! Young and old alike seem to have this disorder. Not saying hello or ignoring someone when they're six inches away from you is common practice nowadays amongst all ages.
Something I've concluded...
This is the way it's going to be! Since I have no control over whether you say hello as we meet one another I'm going to stop trying to determine whether if I say it you will return the gesture. Nope, no more!
I'm going to say HELLO to you whether you like it or not! You know something else? I don't care anymore whether you say it back or not! Doesn't matter.
The only thing that matters is that I continue a positive outlook and way of thinking. By saying hello to you when we walk by each other kind of goes hand in hand with those thoughts.
The old man that lives down the street needs assistance with a walker to come outside to tend to his flowers and check his mail. He always says hello. He also makes comments like, "it's a great day!"
I am so moved by his consistent positive attitude that I made him cookies at Christmas!
The disabled folks in wheel chairs that are cared for in the big house right across the street from the old man always say hello. Some of them can barely talk!
Prospectives sure can come in an array of shapes and sizes can't they?
Enjoy caring and sharing days.
Jill 00
