No more beating around the bush this morning. It’s going to be a great day. And why you ask, because we are alive and we have hope. Notice, I said we. I figure there are some like-minded people trying to share that thought and feeling through their words and actions.
When working in DC I used to do something that threw some people off. Growing up in a somewhat rural area people spoke to each other when passing. That isn’t the case in Washington DC on the workweek in the business/government parts of town from what I experienced for a few decades.
On my walks from the parking garage a few blocks away from the building I’d always make a point to be smiling and passing along a greeting if someone made eye contact or maybe a positive node. Even the occasional “everyone’s looking good today” which usually evoked some smiles when I would say it waiting for the light to change so we could cross the street together. Sometimes I’d even notice a little extra spring in their steps.
I would always greet our security guards coming and going. I think it’s rude to just walk past people like they are some kind of machine. Especially when their job is to help ensure your safety.
Getting a smile back was a nice reward. Or just a nod was cool.
What amazed me was that co-workers would ignore the cleaning crew when I worked evenings. People wouldn’t acknowledge them as they kept their work areas clean. I always made a point to greet them and thank them.
Going into the parking garage I’d always slow to wave to the attendant on duty and say good morning as I came up the stairs by his station.
What was and still is appalling and I’m guilty of it myself now. Ignoring the homeless like they don’t exist. I was much better when I worked nights and would acknowledge all of them on my walks at lunchtime. Even bringing extra food for a buck or two for some of the nice regulars. Maybe they were easier to see at night because they weren’t being ignored by hundreds of people walking by every few minutes.
So that is my point this morning. I’m going to try to get back to my old friendly smiling self and share the hope.
