An encounter

I was running a course in Surbiton and during the lunch break I was sitting outside the venue appreciating the sunshine.

An old gentleman approached along the footpath, and as he did so, as is my wont, I saw opportunity for a moment's communion.

"Hello" I said brightly as he pulled level with me. He paused in his ambulation, turned his gaze to me, and replied,

"Good morning, and what a lovely day this is."

I agreed with an appreciative smile and verbal affirmation. He continued,

"I am just going to my daughter's house, it is my birthday today and she is making me a cake."

"Oh, wonderful, happy birthday to you" I said.

"Why, thank you kindly….." said he, and the good humoured banter continued thus for a few more moments before we waved our goodbyes.

The joy of the encounter was to have created a small moment in time where two complete strangers communed, made one another smile and laugh.  This uplifted the soul and charged the batteries of well being and contentment.  I subsequently reflected that had I been overcome by cultural reservation or laziness, that gem of a moment may never have been.

There are so many opportunities within our everyday lives where we can find the opportunity to shed the blessing of love upon those around us.  A kindly look with a winning smile is worth more than all the gold in the world.  This is a two way thing in the sense that not only do we create the vehicle for meaningful and creative communication one with another but by loving others, that act is reflected back upon us, and we ourselves feel loved too.

Shinsei