Have you ever thought about the way we greet one another? The name of this blog comes from a crusty old man I met in San Diego when I first started going to spiritual classes. He lived in his van and had retired from the Navy. He had a wonderful smile and would always wave and say, “Angels on your shoulders” as he walked away. That was over twenty years ago and that image still brings a smile to my face.
I love watching people when I am in line at the grocery store or the bank. I enjoy observing how they interact and smiling if we happen to make eye contact. I am so fortunate I live on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is very much like a small town and there is a sincere warmth when people greet each other.
As Alzheimer’s claims more and more of my dad he is becoming a much more gentle person. When I was a little girl we used to watch the Andy Griffin Show together. I recently found it on one of the cable stations and began putting it on for him. It is very touching watching him watch the show and since my office is next to the living room I often see parts of it too.
Yesterday I was struck by the way they greeted one another. There was a familiarity, a kinship if you will , an openness of spirit that I often find lacking in society today. When I am in line and the grocery store and take the time to connect with the cashier and express a real interest in them as a person I feel better and I think they do as well.
I used to have a bumper sticker that said “Commit random acts of kindness and senseless beauty.” Perhaps, just for today commit a few random acts of kindness and don’t get caught doing them. See how you feel at the end of the day! It is easy to make the world a better place, kindness and love go a long way toward doing that.
With love and aloha,
Susan
posted February 26, 2009 at 10:08 pm
there was an instance when a girl smiled at me even if she don’t know me personally…i love her by then…and her mother…nice training
posted February 26, 2009 at 10:11 pm
smiling …brightens someones mood..it helps really
posted March 7, 2009 at 12:06 am
Yes, you’re absolutely right Susan, these little acts of kindness are like flares that light up dark nights. May your tribe increase and all the best.