Chance Meetings
© David Newton
December 10, 2009
It’s easy in a busy working life from day to day to stuck in a routine.
Often we seem to want to blend into being another number (which we quietly despise) yet remain silent and not wishing to upset the flow of our day if even one thing is thrown at us out of the blue. Gee one thing might mean we are late for work, or we have to wait longer for the next train home. Some of us just like the predictability of it all.
Yet while this is all going on, we might be missing out on the odd chance opportunity meeting.
Lets say you’ve just moved home to another part of town, maybe the other side of town from where you lived before.
What would you notice?
• There would be different people getting on the train to work each day
• You’d have to shop at a different shopping center
• You would have to find a new café to go to relax at
• Maybe a new drive home, new streets, and a new local convenience store for local needs
• There would also be new local picture theatres to see
Behind all of this, you’d probably be asking people questions like – where are things you need to know. You’d take a chance and ask a few strangers about streets in the area or where a doctor or real estate agent office is located at. Whatever it is, somehow you’d break free, even for a short time to ask locals, your new locals that are “what’s in your area” questions. Maybe by doing so, you’d make a new friend or two by asking at beginning a conversation in this process.
Imagine how this would be if you moved to another city altogether?
Okay back to where you live RIGHT NOW.
• What do you notice around you?
• When was the last time you went to a new café in the area?
• Do you always get the same train to work?
• Sit in the same car, the same seat?
• Do you go to the same places week in and week out?
When were you last curious about new surroundings?
When did you notice that stranger who sat next to you in that café at the next table?
You noticed a stranger reading a book you knew on the train, but you said nothing, why?
You saw somebody smile at you in the queue at the bank, but you didn’t begin a conversation, why?
You see we all get many chances each day and every week, all year round. We often pass them up and slide right over them.
Sometimes it takes a holiday away for us to open up and chat to complete strangers. This can be good, but as they say it’s a long time between drinks.
I can understand some people like to remain anonymous in some circles, like their work, their community etc. they read things in the paper and are afraid everyone has bad motives. But is that a way to look at the world?
Inside each of us is a person, wanting to be heard and listened to.
All of us has a story, has charm and a reason for being here. But if that’s not heard by another soul right next to us, then what is life’s purpose? Thus I ask you, to look at each day and every chance meeting, each chance smile and warm gesture from another live human as a token of that reason handed to you to express yourself and to listen to others who are just like you, warm nice people.
Chance opportunities are about being aware and noticing things around you. The more aware you are of your surroundings the more you’ll be ready to take action and begin a conversation with someone new and interesting.