I'm kind of surprised to see how many people are here on an early weekday morning! Somehow I have this notion that most people don't get up all that early and yet... There are a number of people here, some of them already regulars... There's me of course, and the baristas are already starting to chat a bit more with me, even after just 3 visits. Then there is the older gentleman with the ball cap. He leaves his dog outside and then comes in to read the morning paper and sip some sort of coffee drink. He's been here every morning I've been here... and probably on the mornings when I haven't been here! Then there is a guy from the parish I used to attend. He seems to just sit and stare into space and watch people as he sips his drink. Perhaps this is is his contemplation time? And a couple of others, whom I haven't seen here before... but I suppose they could be regulars... I'd have to be here longer to find out!
I could see how a little community could begin to form here. Most places we go, we never see the same people again... Whether it's Safeway or a coffee shop... or the bank. Even some of the tellers or checkout people I don't recognize all that much. Maybe because I don't go often enough? Here, if I were to come every day... I could see that familiar faces would start to appear. And familiarity is what creates the potential for connection and the potential for friendship. If all we ever see every day is strangers... well... the odds of connecting with strangers is pretty slim. But if we develop a routine and encounter others with a similar routine... well, who knows!
Somehow though... even with the routine, we don't always make the connection. At Sobey's, for example, there are very regular checkout faces, the same girls/women over and over again. And yet the opportunity for connection is minimal... at least that's my story! I think someone else, who is much more outgoing, could connect with them far more easily. Or perhaps it's not even "easily"... perhaps it is just that I need to make an effort to connect, to reach out... If I keep waiting for others to reach out... and they are waiting for me to reach out... well, it could be a while before anybody connects with anybody!
1 comment:
Yes, we all need to create our own opportunities, not expect others to do the work. Meeting new people can be scary, or it can be exciting....the beginning of new friendships and new possibilities. Say hello to those familiar faces and see what unfolds! You can do it! We all can! What are we waiting for?
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