Strangers

Why does this term exist? Why do we ignore the people we pass on the street? Why is it awkward to make eye contact with another human just because you've never seen them before? Are they not like you? Why is one superior to the other making one afraid or perhaps both. Our pre-perceived judgements of others, be them negative or not, create a withdrawn society. Our broken hearts and trust issues make it hard for us to communicate and interact with new people. Walking down the street becomes a game of who can look away the fastest.

 

I'm an extrovert, I work in retail, I have no problem conversing with or meeting new people; in my work environment. Why are some situations more okay to break the "stranger" line than others? Could I walk up to someone new on the street and become instant friends or at least acquaintances? Yeah perhaps I could, but would I? Why should I? I have friends of my own, why should I make the effort? They look very serious, they wouldn't like me anyway. I bet they are judging me.

 

 

 

Maybe they need that companionship, they could be going through something massive and the attention of one individual taking the time to say hi could slightly ease that heavy burden. A girl crying on the street corner, who stops to help her? Another soul, just like yourself, in need, but because society says it is socially unacceptable, we leave her be?

 

Sometimes it's those closest to us that feel most like strangers. Until we open up and confess the things we hide away we will never break that stranger line no matter how "close" we are to someone. We are a shut off generation who would rather send a friend request than ask "Are you okay?" to a passer by with tear stained cheeks.

 

I'm not saying trust everyone, don't be naïve. There is a time and place for "stranger danger." But I feel we have taken that saying too far and made it a blanket rule for anyone we don't know.

 

Challenge: Look up while walking down the street, smile and make intentional eye contact.  Say hi to someone new. Be present, exist.

 

You can't expect great things to happen if you're always looking away.

 

-ShaniJoy

In a nutshell

I heard this whilst sitting in the audience listening to a speaker, it struck home with me. He said:

"Don't underestimate the masterpiece just because the materials are so common."

Our material is 7,235,350,321 common, as of this second according to a population counter on the internet. No wonder the self esteem of many of those individuals is so low and that their minds are set on thinking they aren't anything special. They couldn't be more wrong. 

You are so intricate, the substances of which you are made could be similar but never the same as any another human. The thoughts that run through your mind, the ideas you create and mould into actions, the joyous laughs that escape your mouth; these things are unique to you.

You are so Underestimated. Your potential is miles high and your aspirations and dreams should mimic this. You should know you are capable of so much more than you could ever fathom. You may get a little lost along the way but it is the journey, your journey that matters. The up's and downs are worth it and you have the strength buried within you to break any barrier. 

 You don't need to be art in a museum to be a Masterpiece; or be perfect at doing makeup, or have the best body, wardrobe, hair, car, house, style, mind. You need to be you, otherwise you are cheating the world of a Masterpiece that is already perfect by being itself. Why strive to fit into a box created by the opinion of another individual who is just as clueless about life as you?

We 7,235,350,321 need to encourage one another to be ourselves and love and delight in who we truly are, otherwise we will become clones of the perceived perfect. You are fantastic, capable, brilliant, creative, innovative, daring, complete by being exactly you.

  

-ShaniJoy



Illustration by Katie Daisy - one of our favourite illustrators