The People We Meet

The people we meet broaden our horizons and add a color to our lives. The further we venture from home, the more our scope widens as a variety of people cross our path. An ordinary day changes from uneventful to interesting by a chance conversation with a complete stranger.

Appreciation of diversity  comes with age. It is the maturity that age brings which gives us the gift of being able to look beyond ourself. Age also comes with the courage to look around the corner in an effort to find a new view of the world we know. Shaing bits and pieces with a stranger is a step toward understanding our world and those who also call it home.

Everyone has a story to tell, and for the most part are willing to give you the gift of sharing a small portion of their tale.  Ask a question and open the door a crack.  Question for question works both ways. The more people I meet the smaller the world becomes, and the warmer it feels.

I hope, as a whole we never arrive at the point where fear prevents us from seeing the commonalities we share as world neighbors. My experiences meeting new and diverse individuales have been positive. Perhaps my perspective on the world is still seen through rose tinted glasses. I hope I continue to see the world and the people I encounter through eyes that are open and astute enough to not judge too quickly.

As things  are brought to our attention from a negative aspect it is easy to view the unpleasant as the norm and we fail to realize that it goes far beyond that small bit that is shown to us.  One thing that proves true is the basic good that is inherent in the majority of the world's people. It would be a shame to deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from someone we view as a stranger simply because we only see the outward differences.

I think much of what the world has to teach us comes from the people we meet outside our tiny neighborhoods. Every individual has something worth sharing and I'm curious enough to put myself in a position to listen. My backyard has grown in size and color as I've ventured beyond its boundaries. The more I communicate the more I learn about the good of the world and the people, who just like me understand that we are the ones to keep it going in the right direction. Maybe there will come a time when we have learned enough from our conversations that we will see some of ourselves in the face of a stranger.      



 

My French Lady. I saw her standing on the bridge behind Notre Dame and took her picture. How I wish I'd been able to talk with her. I'm sure her story is special.     oil pastle painted by Nolan Olson