Whose Life Will You Brighten Today?

Photo by Brad Pearson on Unsplash

I usually walk in the evening, after dinner, but today I made a different choice and headed out before breakfast. The wooded trail that threads through and around a local park was populated mostly by birds, squirrels, and rabbits, so I had it mostly to myself. But I did encounter a few other early morning exercisers and dog walkers. 

Strange as it may seem, coming from a self-confessed shy introvert, I now look forward to meeting people on the trail when I’m out walking. It hasn’t come easily, but it’s been well worth the effort, especially in this time of home sequestering and the lack of opportunities for physical interactions with others.

Here’s what I’ve discovered.

My genuine enthusiasm is what makes even the briefest of encounters feeding for me and for those I greet.

Like this morning.

As I was coming through the park, I passed a man standing behind a parked truck with an open tailgate. His back was to me, and he appeared to be getting something out of the truck.

I could have easily and quietly passed him—a choice I would have made prior to my personal “makeover.” But instead I offered a cheery “Good morning” as I walked behind him.

He looked over his shoulder and returned my greeting. 

“It’s a good day to be alive,” I added.

He returned my smile, which was evident from the tone of my voice, even from behind my mask, and said, “It is, indeed.”

“Enjoy!” I offered over my shoulder as I continued on my way. 

This is about as simple as it gets, but that brief human connection between strangers brightened my life, and I assume his. 

Whose life will you brighten today?