Mentalsidewalk

I just spent the day with my brother-in-law. We ate out and then ran a few errands. All in all, it was just a typical day except for that everywhere we went, my brother-in-law took some time to talk to people. He talked to the waiter at the restaurant, he made chit chat with the sales people at the stores, and he even engaged the teller at the bank in conversation.
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I consider myself a people person, but I have to admit, my brother-in-law’s talkative behavior was starting to get on my nerves. We had other things to do, and I didn’t really want to spend so much time with every person we crossed paths with. At this rate, we’d never get done.

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However, as I was listening to him, I realized that the conversations he was having seemed rich. These people were interested in talking to my brother-in-law, even though none of them had ever met him before. The reason why was pretty simple: my brother-in-law wasn’t just talking to people, he was talking about them. He took the time to ask them questions, to listen to their answers, to really understand who they were.
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The greatest human need is to be understood.

We all crave connection, and thrive when others reach out to us. Therefore, these small conversations he was having weren’t just small talk. They were actually making these people feel good. He made their day.

I can only imagine how that good feeling could translate to others. Their good mood can impact other people, and the positive energy can be carried far beyond the simple conversations my brother-in-law was having.

Just imagine what this world would be like if we all focused on how to connect with people. Changing someone’s day only takes a few minutes. Making a difference is as easy as a few kind words and listening ear. It’s a lesson we should all take to heart. I know I have.