Look beyond the narrow sight of what is immediately presented to us!
We meet so many people everyday. Not necessarily a formal introduction.
You may be standing in the same line at the coffee house. Or the clerk for that matter. Or introduced by a mutual friend. Everyday these opportunities are in abundance.
We have the choice at these encounters to engage them beyond the simple pleasantries,that is if even we reach out that much to complete strangers.
Sometimes, a simple joke to provide comic relief to the cashier who sees person after person. To just asking more about the person who you were just introduced to. Or sometimes it is as simple as saying a sincere “Thank you so much, have a wonderful day!” when someone holds the door for you, merges the right of way in the aisle at grocery store, or those who wait on you at stores, restaurants, or wherever.
I try to look beyond what is presented in front of me as I meet people throughout the day. At my shop, I meet many people. After greeting them, I take that extra step to engage the person.
What does that mean? Engage the person?
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It would be so easy to just say, “Hi, Welcome to The Artists’ Nook, give them the “blah, blah” about what we do here, let them look around then say Goodbye as they leave.
When I take that extra time to engage them, by asking something about them, I get sooo much in return.
Today was an extra busy day. The leaves are changing here in Colorado and it is probably one of the last weekends to see the colors. Along with a wonderfully warm fall day and a little craft show in the Grange across the street, there has been groups of people in throughout the day non-stop.
(Thank, God for saving as draft so I could start this post as the moment hit me and save for later to finish my thoughts)
At one point, I had a few groups of people in the store. I gave my spiel. Some looked around for a bit and went on their way. There was this couple in with their elderly mother. They looked around at the weird found objects, bottle caps, electronic resistors and other oddities I have. Then they got to my antique typewriter, I have sitting around just waiting for the day (and I do mean day, cuz that is how long it takes to rip apart one of those suckers) I will disassemble it for an art project.
“My mother here used to type on one of these years back” the gentleman said about his mother who was with them. 
Will I ever see them again? Would they ever come take a workshop, or buy my goods? Probably not, but that does not matter. I love people!
I decided to engage them, even though this busy day of Welcome, blah, blahs could easily overtake my desire to care. By the way those are the moments when you need to engage even more!
I talked to the lady about how much stronger people’s fingers were back then using manual typewriters. She went on to tell me should could type 120 wpm on one of these and she can remember when they got their first electric typewriter. She remembered the dates, but I don’t.
I asked her how did that feel the first time typing on an electric typewriter? She told me, like it was yesterday, “It was weird, I felt out of control, I had to lighten up my touch.”
We went on to talk some more about how she did shorthand. I mentioned that we collage artists would love to find old shorthand books to add to our collages.
I then picked up a book I just got from artist Christine Mason Miller called “Ordinary Sparkling Moments” which is her life insights written over her collage art.
I showed the lady the old ephemera that was sprinkled throughout the book’s artwork. She just loved it, and reminisced about past memories. For me, Truly a moment worth cherishing!
This would never have happened if I just said, “Good bye, Have a nice day!”
Take Care,
Christine
