Hmmm, strangers. Should we ignore them and avoid them at all costs, in hopes that they never ask you the forbidden question: 'Would you like a ride?'
Of course, be logical and remember the safety measures that you need to take according to your city/area that you’re living. However, remember your kind deeds and think about what type of kindness you can shine onto strangers.
A simple smile could light up someone’s day. One of my favorite mini stories as a teenager is from the book, Chicken Soup For The Teenage Soul. The poem is called "Smile" by 13 year old Barbara Hauck.
SMILE
She smiled at a sorrowful stranger.
The smile seemed to make him feel better.
He remembered past kindnesses of a friend
and wrote him a thank-you letter.
The friend was so pleased with the thank-you
that he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
bet the whole thing on a hunch.
The next day she picked up her winnings,
and gave part to a man on the street.
The man on the street was grateful;
for two days he’d had nothing to eat.
After he finished his dinner,
he left for his small dingy room.
(He didn’t know at the moment
that he might be facing his doom.)
On the way he picked up a shivering puppy
and took him home to get warm.
The puppy was very grateful
to be in out of the storm.
That night the house caught on fire.
The puppy barked the alarm.
He barked ’til he woke the whole household
and saved everybody from harm.
One of the boys that he rescued
grew up to be President.
All this because of a simple smile
that hadn’t cost a cent.
-Barbara Hauck, (age 13)
Isn't is true and something to think about? Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives, that we don’t realize what others are going through. As long as you are smart about who you’re talking to and if you’re around others (and you feel safe), then buy a sandwich for a stranger, smile at everyone that glances your way, open the door for the person standing behind you, let someone go in front of you in a long line, compliment someone, congratulate a new business for their new opportunity, and the list goes on.
The best part- you are not only possibly making a huge, positive impact, or even a new outlook, onto someone else, but you are being a role model for others, helping yourself (it feels so good to help or give, especially to strangers), and it can cost you absolutely nothing...only a few minutes of your time.
Challenge- Go out of your way for a stranger today (or if you can, everyday this week). Write down what you did or said, how that person reacted and how it made you feel. Do you think you had a positive impact on that person? How and why?