“…what you share with the world
is what it keeps of you.”

I was going down the aisle of the post office and a man was coming towards me up the narrow aisle. I moved my bags to make room for us to pass and as we got closer he looked at me, smiled and said, “Good morning.”

Then three things happened:

1. I said “good morning”.
2. I noticed that he had spoken to me, a stranger.
3. I noticed that I had noticed!

How strange that receiving a simple greeting from a stranger had caught my attention? I live in a small, friendly town and yet the many simple nods of acknowledgement I’ve received from strangers had never given way to a “good morning.” This was sad.

What I love about this video is that it’s not a “pay it forward” sort of ripple effect. The people who passed on the small kindnesses were not only those who had been recipients of the actions but those who had witnessed them. You never know how far that ripple will go, do you?

Community building can happen anywhere, at any time! A smile and a greeting can turn someone’s day around, especially when it comes from a stranger. We all have opportunities to be ambassadors for the human race that craves community more than it knows. As the video shows, a little love can go a long way in reminding us that we are all connected.

Do you make eye contact with strangers about town? Do you say hello? Do you give a little love?

Take part in a community-building exercise! Can authentic community be built online? Let’s find out. Details here!