Dear Stranger,

Thank you so much for going out of your way to brighten my day. I know you did not have to smile at me as we passed or ask how my day was going in line for coffee, but I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the fact that you did.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to recognize me. The way you waved to me on the sidewalk like an old friend made me feel unbelievably loved. I’m sure it would bring you great joy to know how long I smiled after that small, fleeting moment.

Thank you for seeing me. I often pass people in the hallway and their eyes are absorbed in their phones. They do not even see me as I pass. Thank you for looking me in the eyes and truly seeing me rather than only noticing me enough to avoid walking into me.

It is my hope that more people follow your lead. We live in an unintentional world. People do not see, they merely acknowledge at best. People do not hear, they simply react. I believe that our world would be a happier, more joy-filled place if people were more intentional with their actions like you are. I urge you, no matter how many times your rare actions of intentionally recognizing your neighbors are ignored, please persist in your ministry of love. You turned my day around and I know that you will have an effect on many that you encounter throughout the day.

I would like to present a challenge to all those that have yet to grasp this simple message.

Ask someone how they are doing and wait for their response. Look them in the eyes and give them your full attention so that they feel comfortable providing you with a response other than the faux, “good.”

Receive someone’s greeting and question of how you are doing and respond in a way that separates you from the sea of “goods” and paints you as an individual as opposed to another face in the crowd. Give people the chance to see you.

Walk down the sidewalk with your phone in your bag rather than in front of your face. Allow yourself to see the people you are walking next to instead of looking up from time to time to ensure nothing is in your path. Unplug your earphones and hear the conversation going on around you. Better yet, don’t be afraid to join in.

If this is all too much, a simple smile or “hello” will have a greater impact than you can even begin to imagine. People long to be acknowledged and loved. Be that source of love for them today.

Random stranger, I’m sure you agree that if people in our society were to accept this challenge, our world would be a better place. I know that you receive joy in conversing with others and I’m sure it would brighten your day to be able to look into more upturned faces throughout the day.

Thank you once again being a catalyst of joy. I am constantly amazed that spontaneous conversation or a meaningful smile are so rare that they can literally be the highlight of someone’s day. I can only pray that one day, these rare moments of love between two complete strangers will be the norm.

I thank you, random stranger, for starting a revolution.

Sincerely,

The other random stranger you made feel loved.