To Speak or Not to Speak to Strangers

“Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” ~Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire

We grew up with listening to our parents telling us, “Don’t talk to strangers.” This warning, though very well-intentioned, has a restrictive nature. It’s one thing to mind your own business or to stay out of someone’s way when you sense danger, but where do you draw the line between acting safely and cutting yourself off from the world? Most of us do not connect with everyone we meet and some of us are more introverted, preferring to keep strangers at a comfortable distance.

But for every stranger we ignore, we forfeit the chance to bring more joy into our lives. When we talk to strangers and open up to someone new and different, we uncover a myriad of opportunities -- opportunities to graciously accept the generosity of someone previously unknown, to discover something in common with a person who may, over time, become a dear friend. Allow a stranger to drop into your life and you may learn something and gain a different perspective.

In his provocative book, The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America, Mike McIntyre shares a journey that took him cashless through the heart and soul of the United States. He relied on the kindness of people he’d never met before. The book inspires reflection on one’s faith in the unknown. With enough faith and the kindness of strangers, that place called the unknown can become a serendipitous and comforting spot somewhere in your future.

John's Balcony

We laughed.

We spoke.

I occasionally cried.

He often joked.

Libations overflowed,

sometimes until dawn.

He shared his emotions openly,

never withdrawn.

The balcony at his place,

had a tree that hid a wry face.

It was our comforting assuage

that eased the burdens of life,

as we stood daily on its stage.

Today is the second anniversary of the death of my very dear friend, John David Cochran.  His friendship was a gift and his spirit will live forever ...

Living a Passionate Life

Take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap, action equals deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future -- without action, passion is void.

Commit yourself to powerfully create a life you can love. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart, out of love rather than fear. You will be amazed as the transformation begins.

Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. If you are not pleased with the outcome, decide to use that moment to learn from and make the appropriate shift.

Dwell completely in a place of gratitude. Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude.

Use Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore in place of the Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda.

Keep humor at the forefront of thought. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! Humor is very attractive, very passionate: life-giving.

Trust that you are in the right place at the right time to learn whatever lessons you are meant to be learning. Become a part of a community of people where you can express from the heart and embrace each other's dreams and life philosophy. Know that you will be honored as you honor one another.

When emotions arise, flow with them. Take time out to be fully in the moment. This will model what it means to be authentically engaged in life, no matter what is dished out.

Be strongly vulnerable in connecting with people core to core instead of superficially. Do this by replacing the tendency of backing away with drawing closer.

Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. No one can take your passionate future from you except you! Create your life authentically. Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.

Honor Your Uniqueness

We are often told it is better to give than to receive, it is best to be humble and it is best to not shine a light on ourselves. True, but it is important to recognize that until we honor ourselves, we will not be able to fully give to another, shine the light on another or truly understand humility.

Honor your uniqueness daily. Celebrate what is working and make adjustments where necessary. Suggestions are listed below:

• Enjoy peace and quiet daily. Once you maintain the habit of being quiet either to contemplate, pray or meditate, you will be amazed how much more efficiently and creatively you will perform your tasks, duties and projects.
• Love and nurture yourself, as you would like to nurture those around you. Once you master caring for yourself, caring for others will become effortless and spring from the heart instead of from duty.
• Accept compliments from others with grace. Never disrespect the person complimenting you by disregarding or negating the compliment. Be grateful they see something special about you.
• Spend time investing in and cultivating close friendships. Studies show that a sense of belonging is extremely important for emotional health and well-being.
• Emotionally draining relationships are not healthy. Release all energy vampires and the like from your life.
• Live a purposeful and cause-oriented life. Recognize and embrace that you are creating your life each and every day. You can choose to let life happen or to create it fully.
• Love yourself with heart, soul and strength. Be compassionate and understanding while standing firm in the knowledge that you are both unique and capable. When you master this balance, being attached to your outcomes is not an issue because you will be achieving outcomes beyond your own imagination.

Live passionately everyday in your unique way!