Don’t give me that look as if you don’t know what I’m talking about. As if this is something you don’t do. Well, maybe you don’t, and please tell me if you don’t, because I would love to be your friend. I didn’t realize I did it until I was on the other side of the story. And man, it hurts. I mean, not that bad, but, sadly, it happens and, if you think about it, it happens too often.
So, what is it for you? Money, looks, fame, status, IQ, academic knowledge, nationality, lifestyle, interests, political choices, race? The list can go on and on. Also, let’s agree that it is a dreadful one, just horrible. But it’s the reality. Perhaps you do it without noticing, a bit unconsciously, or maybe you do it very consciously and selectively. Now, try putting yourself on the other side of the story; you will probably need to get out of your social circle to be able to do this, to go somewhere you feel really uncomfortable at, very self-conscious to the point that you become unapproachable to others. Yeah, that’s how it feels like (if you had the sensitivity to really imagine yourself in such a situation). Unpleasant.
So, then, the next time you are about to do it with others, you can think about how it feels and actually how much you could be losing staying closed-minded in your selective social group because you will miss all the fun, knowledge, opportunities in life if you keep doing it. People are so much more than that. Give it a try! Don’t keep living a sad, small life.
A small story: Small Act
Maria had a neighbor to whom she talked occasionally. They weren’t close, and their conversations were pretty much how neighbors' conversations normally are: purely small talk.
One day, Maria found out that her neighbor’s husband passed away.
The neighbor, who was always so friendly and chatty, suddenly wasn’t so chatty anymore.
Maria wasn’t sure what to do.
She then decided to buy her neighbor a card and flowers. She knocked on her door and said how sorry she felt and gave her the two small gifts.
As the neighbor closed the door she said something really nice, maybe it was to herself, or maybe it was to Maria, she couldn’t tell. But both the neighbor and Maria were really moved by what had just happened there.
They were both at very different moments in their lives and probably had had the most diverse day that day and had opposite feelings, but they felt connected. Nothing would have changed in their lives if Maria hadn’t given her the flowers, card and knocked on her door; however, something good happened because she did. Even if it was just for a minute, it brought a little smile to someone who was probably feeling like not smiling at all for the past few days. And Maria realized how the smallest act could make a difference in someone else’s life.
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