I keep running into the kindest folks
- col-dave-mast
- September 7, 2024
- 393
I must admit my job takes me all over the place where I get to talk to so many wonderful, inspiring people.
It’s kind of odd for a guy who considers himself a true introvert — which I still totally am despite what many may think — to talk a lot.
I think one of the reasons I’ve found it so easy to talk to people these days is because people around this area are so genuinely polite and friendly.
Interviews are easy when the person on the other end of the recorder is so relaxed and easy to talk to. Our area is crammed full of people who are so giving, compassionate and caring that it makes my job in telling their stories quite simple.
They are the ones doing all the hard work. I, on the other hand, have the much easier job of simply telling their stories.
But what I’ve found myself doing more and more often these days is conversing with people I don’t even know — people I wander past on the street, in the shopping aisle, pumping gas or pretty much anywhere I may run into someone.
And you know what? Despite all of the doom and gloom I hear about on the national news and via the internet, where war and hatred seem to run rampant, the people I meet are genuinely kindhearted folks who are quick with a smile, a word of gratitude and a fun conversation.
Recently, I struck up conversations with a 5-year-old and her mom, a woman from Georgia who was in town visiting her mother who lives in Newcomerstown, an elderly Amish gentleman, a couple from West Virginia in town to purchase more Millersburg Glass, a dynamic 40-something couple out biking the Holmes County Rails to Trails for their health, a group of women from Kentucky who were in the area visiting the many quilt shops, and a couple from Japan who were excited about experiencing Amish Country.
That’s just in the past week.
Perhaps I’m just the type of guy who looks nonthreatening with whom people don’t mind striking up a conversation. Maybe they are only appeasing me as we chat, hoping in their minds I leave them alone.
But I don’t get that vibe.
It feels like all these people I meet on the street are simply kind people who are nice, warmhearted folks who enjoy life.
I’m often amazed at how quick people are to open up and have a quick conversation.
Based on what the media continues to push as a heavily divided nation and world, somehow none of those angry, hateful people have found their way into my general vicinity.
Now I’m not naïve. I know there’s hate floating around out there.
But maybe, just maybe, if we first approach others with a smile and a kind word, it opens the door to an enlightening experience.
Kind words and deeds are truly simple acts that don’t have to be monumental.
I think one of my favorite ice breakers is going into a store with automatic doors. When I see someone heading in, I’ll quickly rush in before them and say, “Let me get that for you.” It always brings a laugh.
It’s amazing what a tiny act of humor can do to invite in conversation, even though it may be short and sweet.
A smile, a thank you, helping someone with their groceries or to wrangle a dog that escaped its leash … there are so many easy ways we can be kind, yet we’re often too busy or distracted to do so.
What I’ve found through my experiences in finding ways to connect with total strangers is most of them have good hearts.
It makes me think — no, it makes me believe — that the world is filled with mostly good people, and the only reason it appears bad is because the ones doing all the ugly stuff have bullhorns, podiums and yell the loudest on social media.
Perhaps it’s just my outlook on life that makes it so in my mind.
Maybe I am naïve.
If that’s the case, I’ll take it because believing that has made my life incredibly joyful.
I’d much rather live a cheerful life in innocence and trust than live one in negativity, doubt and distrust at every turn.
I figure I may as well make my years here on this planet Earth enjoyable, and sharing that joy with others is my absolute starting point, even if I don’t know them from Adam and Eve.