What Does The Genuine Attention Create?
It Fuels Real Connections And Restores Our Faith in Goodness!
This story is more likely to be described as a collection of some personal bonds I built with strangers than it is a harmonious story.
I thought of sharing the following pieces of my heart, hoping you could feel the emotions between the lines and, probably, get some inspiration, which is ultimately my dearest wish!
1. Kids in the park
The guys in the photo above were strangers when I reached the park where I like to have a walk and read a book on Mother Nature.
I was sitting in front of the lake, looking at the ducks, and enjoying the warm sunshine and the gentle breeze on my face, while two kids showed up with their grandma.
The older one took place next to me. I welcomed him with a large smile and started talking to him. He was a bit shy. It was challenging to hear his voice.
I noticed that his little brother was observing us. I said, “Hey buddy!”. I was surprised by a free hug.
An awesome new connection started. Magic took place!
2. The road incident
I was driving at an average speed (most probably 40 MPH / H) when a woman suddenly decided to cross the road.
She was used to getting yelled at — that’s what her facial expression was saying at least.
Instead, I slowed down quickly, stopped my car, and gently gave her my priority.
She was confused; her eyebrows raised; she put one hand on her heart and sincerely said, “Thank you”. I couldn’t stop my tears from flowing.
It doesn’t take that much, after all, to make this world more beautiful and our life more meaningful!
3. The hypermarket tourist
I was buying groceries at a hypermarket. A guy aged 65 approximately dropped something of his groceries without paying attention.
A young tourist ran to pick it up and gave it to the 65-year-old customer.
I was observing the scene and smiling. Then, I went in the young man’s direction, asked him whether he understood English — which turned out to be the case and told him the following:
I saw what you did; this was very sweet, and I just wanna say thank you!
His eyes sparkled. I could witness some pure joy displayed on his face, and he said, “Oh, thank you! This was not that much!”, to which I replied:
It surely is! Those genuine and little courtesies speak for themselves about who we are as a person!
I was a witness to a gorgeous smile on his face. I wished him a good stay, and we said goodbye with a heart full of inner peace!
4. The teenager in the train station
Meeting a child’s aggression with adult aggression only adds fuel to the fire. To extinguish aggressive behavior meet it with calmness and compassion. Being calm isn’t passive — it’s mature. Be it to teach it. — Rebecca Eanes
I was in Paris, specifically at a train station. A teenager was making a lot of noise with his crutches. He was bothering all the passengers who were waiting for the train.
Some of them were getting crazy and yelling at him. Each time they were doing so, he was raising the level of the noise. Then he decided to sit down. He was tired of using one leg, I’d guess. By chance — or that’s what I thought at the time, it was next to me.
I could feel his anger and couldn’t help myself but to start a discussion with him, “How much time is left?”
He looked at me, confused. He was not expecting somebody could genuinely be interested in him after his mess! “2 weeks”, he said.
“You’re almost on the other side, congratulations!” He smiled and added, “Yeah hopefully; I’m so fed up!”. “How did you hurt yourself?” “An accident”, he replied.
“Woohoo! You’re a fortunate young man then!” His smile became more radiant. “Life has other big plans for you, buddy! Will you promise to try your best to finish those two last weeks and, then, begin the first chapter of your new life?”
He said yes 😊. One minute later, his train arrived, and we said goodbye.
It was the first time in my life I felt a limitless inner satisfaction!
5. The Bank Customer Services officer
I needed some help. I went to my bank customer services office and said, “Hi!”. The woman thanked me warmly. I was bewildered and thanked her back while asking why I deserved it in the first place.
It has been a while that l didn’t hear a greeting with such a gentle intonation, and accompanied with a pure smile. I’m grateful!
I was overwhelmed… My heart was dancing, and I added, “I’m so happy I could contribute to making your day a little more beautiful! It was an honor!”
Takeaways
Let’s be generous folks, shall we? Many of us are tender deep inside and craving some random attention.
Deep instant connections are simply priceless. Open your heart and you will be amazed by what the universe has to offer!
Gregg Braden said it best:
The heart is about 100 times stronger electrically and 5000 times stronger magnetically than the mind!
Get out of your anxious mind and reach your beautiful heart as much as you can daily. Magic takes place when you are self-aware and fully present.
You aren’t fully present unless you make your subconscious program your best friend so that to feel the magnificence of every single microscopic detail.
Appreciate more! Be grateful more! LOVE more!
Love the lessons you've learnt in each moment. It costs nothing to be a fantastic human; there is nothing like it. It's a win/win proposition.
This piece is just FABULOUS, my dear…I love all of the different connections you made in all those different circumstances…and I’m almost certain you have forever changed/affected some of those people in such a positive manner as they have changed/affected you…
and because of these connections, you are writing this story that will no doubt have positive influence on others—such as myself…it’s just amazing how the positive effects of connection (especially random, instantaneous connection) are endless and just seem to multiply!!!…
thx for sharing your personal experiences of such connection, as it makes me think of my own recent-ish strong personal connections (with you and a few other GORGEOUS and FABULOUS people) and smile with all my heart and sou!!!