For the last 3 years I have worked at a senior’s complex
doing grounds maintenance for the summer months. It’s a part time job that I enjoy. Its outside (where I love to be) and doing
work that even gives a little bit of a work out. But the best part is the people. What little it takes to give a smile or a
wave or a moment of your time just to chat.
Friday alone, I stopped at least 6 times to visit with different people
who live in the complex. I admit it was
hard not to keep looking up at the sky wondering if I was going to beat the
next rain storm, but seeing the difference it makes in people’s faces made the
possibility of even finishing in a monsoon worth it.
The last year and a half I have very deliberately gone out
of my way to make eye contact, smile and even strike up a conversation with
complete strangers, no matter where I am.
My children are horrified some times and I can see them slowly move away
with a look on their face of ‘I’m not with her.’ Yes, I have got a few odd
looks but majority of the time it is a look of first surprise and then
appreciation. People like being talked
to and acknowledged. How many times I
have seen people texting while going through a till at the grocery store and
they don’t even have the courtesy to look up or acknowledge the person who is
helping them! It truly is sad. I don’t believe that people take the time to
notice anyone or anything around them anymore.
They seem so rushed to get to their next stop that they miss some cool
opportunities to make someone’s day and to meet some great people. I challenge everyone to take time for the people
around you, the ones you know and even the ones you don’t know yet!
Alana Regier