I started noticing the downfall of human contact years ago. I decided to do something.
I have always been an avid people watcher. It's fascinating to see people as they are. Observations led to patterns and understanding different personality traits. This led to noticing states of mind in body language through observing myself and finding similarities. As we grow personally, we all undergo changes mentally and to those who notice, spiritually.
As I saw the rise of technology and connectivity, there was a shift. I saw that people became more introverted, more recessed. Personal development was gradually stunted in many people who relied more upon external sources rather than looking within. The only human contact came from forced fake politeness in a business setting.
I watched as genuine interactions crumbled and the new forms of communication became a crutch, an excuse, an escape and an easy way out. Generally, attention spans shortened more and more.
STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES
ADMIRE SOME DAMN CLOUDS
As time went on, mental illness set in. Depression, anxiety, narcissism, and a general lack of self worth. There are plenty of other reasons for this but let me get to the point.
I decided to walk, as I like to do, down the sidewalk. I would look people in the eyes when I could, but no matter what, I would greet everyone with a genuine "hello" or "hi" or just a smile and wave.
It felt silly at first, sometimes demoralizing, at times just sad. I focused on treating everyone like a good friend, and felt it in my heart. Then the magic happens.
I noticed the same sidewalk had a little more vibrance, people didn't seem as sad. People were more alert and not as distracted. Then gradually people, sometimes familiar people who remember greeting before would be smiling. I would greet people again who had completely ignored me before or quickly stared at their phone to avoid eye contact. These same people I greeted again greeted me in return.
Overtime I have had random conversations with numerous individuals with the goal of authentic communication.
Somedays I myself would be down or deep in thought and someone would say hello to me out of the blue.
Amazing! I am so curious if this really was a real effect. A ripple of warm greetings pulling people back to humanity.
I noticed as time passed, it became second nature and have had valuable and meaningful conversations since. It has helped my own personal growth immensely as well.
If you see the state of society declining like I do, maybe this idea could be beneficial in your own community. Maybe a stupid simple but real hello could change the way people treat eachother. Maybe we could be little candles lighting up the gloom. Unplug for a while my friends.
