This was always my sisters phrase to me when we were little and she'd get mad at me. If she didn't address me, we couldn't speak. And I remember as I thought about it, I'd tell her that was a flawed argument because if we waited to be talked to to speak, no one would ever talk to one another.
But isn't that the mentality we take with us wherever we go? How many people do you pass in one day? Do you greet them? Get to know them? Or do you let them pass you because they didn't speak to you first? We live in a very busy world and we tend to speak about the generation growing up with no manners....but do we teach them any different?
I also notice we are the type of people that love to criticize others and say things like "oh wow she thinks she's too good to speak to me" or "he's so rude, he didn't say hi", but what are you doing to counteract that? Is talking about it productive? no! Do something. It may be that girl doesn't talk because she's shy and doesn't know what to say, maybe he doesn't hi because no one has ever greeted him before or he is just socially awkward. Lately, I've had a passion for just speaking to people. At work, I have gotten to know everyone from the UPS and FedEx man to the lady that regularly delivers our coffee and all the people who do our medical deliveries. I now call them by name and know half of their life stories or at least a little bit about their daily work and interests such as sports. I've made a point to know the guys at Subway by their name and always offer them a joke and a smile when I walk in. (don't worry, they know I am married and I always walk in with a witness, but that's another topic).
People react to what you give them. Dont wait for people to talk to you and ask you how you are doing... Do it yourself. Relate....speak... Smile. You never know people's life story, what they are going through or why they are so quiet. Not everyone will react the same...but you will never know unless you try. You may find some people are rude, and are not interested in talking to you. But at least you know you didn't just talk about it, you were about it! It funny when I started working there, I'd see all these regular vendors and delivery guys walk in almost daily and besides hi, nothing else was said to them... Now they walk in with a smile...we all interact and can call each other by name. Even the Orkin man enjoys our conversations. Encourage someone... Just because people dont look like you, act like you or work with you doesn't mean they don't need that smile, that pep talk ir maybe just that hello.
People matter...and we are called to Love them....because God loves us all.... No one is better than anyone regardless of personality, profession, or economic status. Love someone.. Truly. Let go of whatever is holding you back and say something to the next person you meet. Dont know where to start? Ask for their name... For some reason that makes them more human! You never know who you may meet or how you may impact that life...and make them feel they matter. As far as those loved ones, families and friends...same Thing applies... Dont worry when they don't call you or text you... Go out and reach out to them! Maybe they are stressed, going through something and feel unable to reach out to you but you may just make that difference by taking an initiative and letting them know you care.
Trust me love is an investment... The more love you give,the more love you receive! Its what we are called to do! "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8
But isn't that the mentality we take with us wherever we go? How many people do you pass in one day? Do you greet them? Get to know them? Or do you let them pass you because they didn't speak to you first? We live in a very busy world and we tend to speak about the generation growing up with no manners....but do we teach them any different?
I also notice we are the type of people that love to criticize others and say things like "oh wow she thinks she's too good to speak to me" or "he's so rude, he didn't say hi", but what are you doing to counteract that? Is talking about it productive? no! Do something. It may be that girl doesn't talk because she's shy and doesn't know what to say, maybe he doesn't hi because no one has ever greeted him before or he is just socially awkward. Lately, I've had a passion for just speaking to people. At work, I have gotten to know everyone from the UPS and FedEx man to the lady that regularly delivers our coffee and all the people who do our medical deliveries. I now call them by name and know half of their life stories or at least a little bit about their daily work and interests such as sports. I've made a point to know the guys at Subway by their name and always offer them a joke and a smile when I walk in. (don't worry, they know I am married and I always walk in with a witness, but that's another topic).
People react to what you give them. Dont wait for people to talk to you and ask you how you are doing... Do it yourself. Relate....speak... Smile. You never know people's life story, what they are going through or why they are so quiet. Not everyone will react the same...but you will never know unless you try. You may find some people are rude, and are not interested in talking to you. But at least you know you didn't just talk about it, you were about it! It funny when I started working there, I'd see all these regular vendors and delivery guys walk in almost daily and besides hi, nothing else was said to them... Now they walk in with a smile...we all interact and can call each other by name. Even the Orkin man enjoys our conversations. Encourage someone... Just because people dont look like you, act like you or work with you doesn't mean they don't need that smile, that pep talk ir maybe just that hello.
People matter...and we are called to Love them....because God loves us all.... No one is better than anyone regardless of personality, profession, or economic status. Love someone.. Truly. Let go of whatever is holding you back and say something to the next person you meet. Dont know where to start? Ask for their name... For some reason that makes them more human! You never know who you may meet or how you may impact that life...and make them feel they matter. As far as those loved ones, families and friends...same Thing applies... Dont worry when they don't call you or text you... Go out and reach out to them! Maybe they are stressed, going through something and feel unable to reach out to you but you may just make that difference by taking an initiative and letting them know you care.
Trust me love is an investment... The more love you give,the more love you receive! Its what we are called to do! "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8
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