The other day I was waiting in line at Chick Fil-A for some delicious chicken. As I did I glanced around and observed others waiting in line. If you ever get a chance you should observe others as well. It is fascinating to me just how varied we can be – we can be doctors and nurses, lawyers and business people, we can be farmers, construction workers, retail employees. As I contemplated that something else came to mind – however we may be the fundamental is the same, we are all still people and we all have something to give.
As we make our way through life we end up with our circle of friends, jobs we perform, locations we live, our socio-economic status – all things that shape us. In that shaping we naturally gravitate toward others that share the same values, ideologies, and social status. That in and of itself is not a bad thing. Who would want to hang around someone who constantly disagrees? It is exhausting. Yet, while it is the easy and natural thing to ignore others of different values, ideologies, social status, even culture, that does mean it is a good thing. Other people have value and something to contribute.
I have a family member who used to work in the downtown area of a city. As she would walk she would say hi or at least smile as she passed other people. The others ranged from fellow professionals, car garage workers, city street employees, even those that looked unkempt and homeless. She said that she wanted to acknowledge other people’s existence. And this is true – we need to be aware that others exist. We all have value, we all have something to give. Who cares if it makes us uncomfortable – is not 15 seconds of being uncomfortable worth it if it encourages? Is a 5 second smile and a “Hi” that difficult to achieve? The cost of 15 seconds may end up costing much larger later on in life. Why chance it, smile and say hi.
Yes, it is very easy to get caught up in our own world. The temptation to ignore others can be great. However, I would argue the reward for remembering others is greater. In the end, as I have stated in previous posts, it is not how much you have done but how you have shaped yourself and others. And acknowledging others’ existence is part of that. As we travel along our journey let us pursue our passions, pursue our best selves and remember yes, other people exist too!
Attempt it. Chance it. Try it. Get it It!