Do you ever get into an elevator with a handful of people and wonder who they are, where they've been and where they're going? Or are you too busy watching the panel light up and thinking about lunch?
When was the last time you held the door open for someone and they thanked you? Do you wave hello to your neighbours as you drive to work? What about the grocery counter lady - do you ever ask her how her day is going, or do you just stand there like a retard and wait for the till to ping so you can pay?
I like to think that everyone is good. I like to believe that inside each of us we're trying very hard to be nice to everyone else in the hopes to perhaps in the ying and yang of things we'll be rewarded for our efforts.
I like to greet people. I'm sure they think I've just escaped from some institution, but sometimes they actually greet me back and yes, it feels good. I talk to the grocer and when they see me the next time they smile and greet me first. You see - people remember and the ying and yang are working for me.
The lady at the deli who makes my lunch - she remembers me because I tip her before she starts making my sandwich. Why? Because I know that when she sees I've rewarded her for work she's yet to do for me - it will give her the incentive to try and little harder. And she does. I've never had a complaint about that deli. They smile at me when I come in and when I leave.
It's human nature to want to feel good about ourselves all the time. We're brought up to believe that if you don't have anything good to say about someone - you don't say anything at all. And sometimes this works... We're all born vain. Babies admire themselves by the reaction they get from others. They soon learn that a smile and giggle are rewarded by words like isn't she cute, or how adorable. We grow up wanting this kind of praise all the time.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and smiled at yourself? Do it! Do it because you can and because leaving the house with a smile on your face will not only get you excellent service at the gas station, but perhaps, just perhaps, the man across from you in the elevator will wonder about you - where you've been, what you've done and why oh why are you smiling?
I'm an eternal optimist - I believe everyone is born good and sometimes a few of us grow up to become better at being human. Do you?
