Walking the Wall

Walking from the parking garage to the building for my Lit class last night I passed a great number of people who were both sexes, all ages, and I was struck by something–when did our society loose their ability to meet people’s eyes? What sort of horrible thing do they think happens if two human beings eyes meet while walking down a sidewalk? Does life cease to exist? Will they be instantly jumped and their wallets stolen? I left the garage in the mood to make a "micro difference", I had my iPod blasting to One Fine Day, the sky was gorgeous, and I determined to look in everyone’s eyes and smile (not a wacky, scary, creepy smile–just an acknowledgement and a hello smile)…I should have counted how many people I past on the walk, but not one person’s eyes met with mine, they walked with their heads down and their eyes on the sidewalk. I remember a long time ago when I worked at a large retail store in the toy department near Christmas and our motto was, "don’t make eye contact, or they *will* need something". Do people think they will loose something of themselves by looking at a stranger and smiling? What is it about our society that teaches us, "don’t make eye contact"!?

Walk down the street and look at someone, and smile hello. While sitting at a four way stop sign, instead of studiiously looking at the black top, smile–someone might just smile back! When you run into someone at the grocery store for a bit of "blocking the aisle cart jousting"–laugh it off, grin, and wish them a lovely day. Stop in at someone’s blog today and just say hello, or email someone you don’t know with a "just thinking of you and wanted to say have a nice day" (both the internet equivalent of meeting a strangers eyes and smiling)–and my personal favorite, don’t bow your head to the rain, you’re going to get wet, just keep your head up and grin, your bound to make someone laugh that way.