“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.
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So true, beautifully put. I'd like to read his book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it is a wonderful book.
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