When did you last have a meaningful, constructive conversation with a total stranger? In our lifetime, we meet people from all levels of society, but I must admit, there are some we wish we never met. Nonetheless, those whom we took the time to have a meaningful conversation with, will turn out to be mutually beneficial. We learn so much from meaningful constructive conversations, and a free exchange of knowledge, wisdom, and thoughts. Striking up a conversation with a stranger can surprise you. Honestly, you don't know the day they are having or they don’t know the day you are having, and a simple conversation can uplift you both. Especially speaking to older people, since you can gain so much wisdom and guidance from them, and I must admit some young people as well. I am fortunate to have met many interesting people over the years, and I encourage you all to try the simple joy of communication.
"I love meeting new people; I think everyone has a story to tell. We should all listen sometimes." - Kim Smith
"Sometimes, it's just great to bring new people into the mix." - John Oates
"Life is beautiful not because of the things we see or do. Life is beautiful because of the people we meet." - Simon Sinek
The strangers we meet will sometimes become friends we want to keep. I mentioned in my "Friendship" blog post, that I strongly believe that friendship is not bound by age, and with that in mind, we also can gain much insight regardless of the age of those people we meet. I emphasized that throughout our journey in life, we cross paths with so many people. Some just in passing, and just a few people can have a tremendous impact on our lives. Subtle conversations can lead to long-term friendships, sometimes you wish you had never spoken to someone. Nonetheless, an opportunity to meet interesting new people is truly a blessing. It helps build and enhance your interpersonal skills, enabling you to create and sustain confidence in your communicative skills.
"Experiment! Meet new people. That’s better than any college education . . . By adventuring; about, you become accustomed to the unexpected. The unexpected then becomes what it is . . . the inevitable." - Amelia Earhart
"Good things happen when you meet strangers." - Yo-Yo Ma
"There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met." - William Butler Yeats
I enjoy speaking to people of all ages, and I have learned so much from them as well. I do believe I talk too much, so I am told. Despite what my critics say, I feel that speaking is one of my true assets. In recent months, during my daily walks, I have met a Vietnam veteran, a Jamaican, and a cycling enthusiast. Our conversations were very insightful and informative, they helped us to gain a unique perspective and understanding on various topics. When you are open to meeting new people, it broadens your horizon, and will no doubt help in your growth and development as an open-minded individual. I gained so much knowledge from books over the years, and I must admit that just speaking to strangers has also enabled me to gain newfound knowledge as well. Try not to limit yourself and be open to expanding your social circle with community engagement.
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
- Dale Carnegie
"Each person you meet influences your mental universe in a way that has the potential to make a substantial impact upon the causality of the intellectual development of an entire species." - Abhijit Naskar
"People come into your life to either support or distract you from your journey; know the difference." - Marion Bekoe
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