Thinking Out Loud
He Had Me At Hello

April 8, 2012
By: Diane Szczepanski

"Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how." ~ Author Unknown

A teen-something taught me a big lesson this week.

I was inclined to keep my head down, eyes averted, thoughts on my mission ahead as I got out of my car.

The young man walked alone down the sidewalk and he moved along at a pretty good, bouncy clip. I knew our paths were going to cross shortly.

Honestly, I wasn't feeling really friendly this day. I had been been battling a headache all morning, felt rushed at the task at hand and wasn't even remotely considering a possible interaction with the jaunty kid walking up my path.

I certainly wasn't prepared for his response.

"Hello!", he smiled as he walked by.

That was all.

Just a great big, friendly, happy sounding "hello" as he passed by me and kept walking at his brisk pace.

I was caught off guard, but immediately grinned and returned the greeting. His demeanor was so cheerful and there was something just so genuinely positive and appealing about him.

I smiled the rest of the walk to my destination.

It's not every day a teenager greets an adult they don't know, like this. It's not every day a person of any age passes on joy to their fellow man. It's not every day a stranger brings on a sudden lifting of spirits to my day.

The pleasant effect it had, stuck with me all day. This little act of friendliness encouraged me to look others in the eye and smile, nod or say howdy too.

It's a simple thing, really.

Yet so powerful.

Some days it seems so easy to get caught up in my life and thoughts, that I can tend to forget I live in a world with others who may need a smile and dose of good cheer.

The young man, with the carefree curly hair, wearing the light blue shirt and ear to ear smile, who walked by and said "hello" to me, realizes it.

I thank him for the friendly reminder.