Monday 24 June 2013

Take The Time For People


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


 

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