I am sitting here in a coffee shop, savoring every sip of the satisfying, yet sadistic drink that keeps me coming back for more. Half-caf one week, regular the next, and before you know it, you're onto the double espresso shots... The coffee bean truly is the most evil out of all the other beans!
Ok, ok, so I'm not in a coffee shop. I lied..I admit it! ~sigh~ I am sitting in a Cinnabon place eating a little chunk of Heaven itself. Try as a might, I just can't avoid some of my weaknesses. But I am drinking coffee, so it was only a half lie..
I can't help but notice how much people go out of their way to avoid being near anyone else. There are 2 other ladies enjoying a calorie-filled, guilt-free (maybe!) treat, and we have all strategically chosen to have our backs to one another. Coincidence? I think not!
Ever been standing in a line-up when a stranger randomly chooses to talk to you? What is your first reaction? Come on, be honest now...Your first thought was "Why me?" Then you became more comfortable and in the end, you found that the conversation made the line-up move faster.
Why do we go out of our way to be alone? Is talking to a stranger really so scary? (If you are a child, then the answer is definitely yes!) However, as adults, we shouldn't be so uncomfortable around people who are more than likely going through the same life issues as we are.
That man sitting across from you on the bus could be wondering how he is going to scrape enough money together to give his family a vacation this year because he didn't get the raise that was promised to him.
The girl riding the escalator ahead of you might be thinking about more than friends and clothes; she might be thinking about how much her parents have been fighting lately and wondering how close they are to divorcing.
The woman in the grocery aisle beside you just may be wondering how she is going to stretch her paycheck to feed her kids and pay her bills this month.
We all have something that we can offer to those around us. No, I'm not talking about money - money is only a temporary fix. Next week the same needs will be back again. What you can offer the stranger next to you is a friendly face, a smile, and, dare I say it? A random conversation that will let them know that they are not alone in their struggles!
