Daily walks with my dog in our neighborhood have become my morning ritual.  The differing paths we take covering 1.5-2 miles each day are an opportunity to enjoy the brisk temperatures in the colder months and the warmth of the sun other times of the year.  I have found so much to be thankful for on these treks not the least of which is my dear walking companion.  There is also the birdsong, the caress of the breeze (or the forceful shove of the wind) and other walkers that we have come to know over the years.  Initially our encounters were brief, a good morning or hello but as time went on we now spend a few minutes catching up with each others lives.  Such simple pleasures but probably one of my most joyous times of the day.  

As I walk through the neighborhood there is a fair amount of traffic coming and going, most of the faces I don’t know, but they seem rather intent on their journey.  The first of the year I decided I would begin waving to each car as it passed.  Partly because sometimes by the time I recognized the driver (I am horrible with car recognition!) the car is long gone and waving hello was a futile attempt but also, most of these people were headed to work or school and I was wondering if a friendly greeting with a smile and wave might just put a new perspective on the day ahead.  

I am not sure if this simple gesture changed anyone else’s world but I do know it has changed mine.  At first most of my waves were met with a suspicious and inquiring look or a single finger lifted from the steering wheel in acknowledgement.  At other times the driver stared directly ahead or in the opposite direction, rather like my dog does when I am asking her who got into the trash.  Then there were the drivers that encouraged me to keep waving.  Those that responded with a smile and wave in kind.  

After just a few weeks the responses have changed and most people wave back with smiles, but the biggest surprise for me was now some people begin waving before I do.  I am sure some of them think of me as the crazy old lady that walks her dog not realizing she is waving to someone she doesn’t know, but the magic is they are willing to play along.  This thought doesn’t decrease my joy in my experience, rather it increases my faith in humanity.  It allows me to believe we can all set aside our differences and our busyness, for just a moment at least, in friendly acknowledgement of each other.  

I’m sure this practice doesn’t seem earth shattering or as if it will bring world peace, but I challenge you dear friend to try it for a few weeks.  Try smiling at all the strangers you encounter in passing.  Try waving to those that are walking as you are driving or those that are driving as you are walking.  It may not make much of a difference in their world but I believe it will make a difference in yours.  

Wishing you, dear friend, much joy and connection as you encounter others on your heartfelt journey.  ~♥~