During the pandemic, I found myself with more time at the start of the day, so I started to walk to work. There were many benefits about my more active commute: it got me moving outdoors more; it reduced our fuel consumption (which is also good for the environment); it was good for my mental health as I started and ended each work day looking forward to my walk.
On my way to work, I started to recognize the regular morning walkers – out for fitness, with their dogs, or with a obvious destination like a bus stop in mind – and it wasn’t long before I started to greet them with a “good morning.” Most just ignored me; one older man, whom I nicknamed The Shuffler, always smiled back “Morning.” Our daily greeting motivated me to keep saying “good morning” to everyone I saw and soon, I challenged myself to get a “good morning” back from everyone I met on my way to work- totally out of my control, I know, but it was fun to dream that it would happen. By the end of the year, I had a near 100% success rate; everyone except the man in the yellow jacket (kindly nicknamed after The Man with The Yellow Hat from Curious George) replied back.
A few Sunday’s ago, I dragged myself out of bed for a run that I really didn’t want to do. It was cold and windy, and I was running solo. While mucking about the house, taking my sweet time to get out the door, I decided to turn it into a “good morning run.” While on my run, I greeted everyone I saw with a “good morning.” To my surprise, the first couple replied, and so did the next person and the next. Some seemed a bit confused or surprised but most smiled, greeted me back, or both – and I felt great each time.
This week, the tables turned. As I was zoned out near the end of an afternoon run, a lady waved at me and called “Hello! I haven’t seen you for a while!” I waved and hello’ed back. Then I realized that she was one of my “walk to work” regulars, someone to whom I always said “good morning.”
Simple things like a cheery hello can have such a positive impact on others. And if you are doing it properly, you’ll benefit too. I know it sure makes me feel good.
