Smile at Strangers - For Yourself

I was at the grocery store and decided to be friendly with the cashier, saying "How are you today?"

The response was a grunt.

I then walked to a nearby drug store only to be confronted by a rude man who ran in front of me - so he could be first.

Many of us would agree that civility has slowly and gradually been on the deline for decades.

There was hope that the pandemic would reverse this trend.

We were, after all "in this together."

Sadly, it was not to be.

People are more ornery, rude and disrespectful than ever before.

It has caused some of us to ask "Where are you God? And why are you not helping this troubled world?"

When I made the decision many years ago to accept God into my life, it changed me.

My heart was lighter and I automatically wanted to help people, sometimes to a fault and often to my own detriment.

Today - what I see is a kind of desperation, isolation and detachment.

People are scared. Worried. And upset.

What is needed is love. A lot more love.

This kind of love - a love for humanity and people in general - is so rare, that when we are confronted by it, we're suspicious and in disbelief.

A few years ago, I was taking a walk and noticed a man following me everywhere I went, causing me to become nervous. But when we both arrived at an intersection, he leaned over to say "How are you on this fine day?"

I was shocked, then laughed in relief.

God is still here. And he's asking us to be kinder to one another.

A few of us are starting to listen. Yes, because it's the right thing to do, but also because we're tired of being distant.

Tired of adding to the toxicity.

Being nice makes us feel better about ourselves. Even if others do not always reciprocate.

"I've been searching for ways to heal myself, and I've found that kindness is the best way." - Lady Gaga

This week, smile at strangers.

Open the door.

Rediscover what it means to be human.

Do it for yourself.