It's easy to move too fast. Once you're up, your routine starts. Take up the bathroom, pour what seems like your fourth cup of coffee, eat breakfast, catch up on the news, get dressed and you're off to work. On the day I took this photo, that was my routine. I had just gotten off a nine to five shift working retail, something that sounds normal but can alter your day in either the best way possible, or the worst way imaginable. Unfortunately for me, my day decided to take the latter. Allow me to elaborate. Earlier that day I had dealt with one too many angry customers, who all collectively seemed to not realize that the individual that stands behind the register also has a soul. By the end of my work shift, I was not particularly happy with the human population. My only silver lining was being able to walk the beautiful streets of Cleveland as the setting sun blanketed the city. It was this night that changed my perspective on the interactions I have with others forever.

As I walked beside my friend, stopping every so often to capture a glimpse in time, a woman approached me from the crosswalk in front of Playhouse Square. She called out to me saying, "Excuse me, honey" as she held her phone against her chest to cover the other end of her ongoing conversation. As I turned to face her, she smiled at me and said, "I just wanted to tell you that I really love your outfit. You look very cute and I hope you are having a wonderful evening." As she finished her sentence, she brought her phone back up to her ear to return to her call. Watching her walk away I heard a portion of her conversation, it seemed to be one that was serious.

I stood in the crosswalk, taking in the moment. This encounter made me realize just how important it is to keep in mind the lives of others. There is no telling what could be happening in someone else's life, and to judge them based on how they are delivering themselves is something that we should never do. The compliment not only improved the way I viewed myself, but the way I viewed the world. She could have easily walked by me, assuming I wanted nothing to do with anyone based on the look on my face. But she chose to take the opposite route. She chose to try and help me, rather than judge me.

This photo was taken moments after that encounter. I wanted to set it in stone and hold on to it for as long as I could. To others, it seems unimportant, but to me, it was monumental. Ever since that night, I have practiced the idea of patience and compassion with those around me and it has brought nothing but happiness.