Sometimes I pass by someone I know while on the way to class or at work and a thousand thoughts go through my mind. Do I say "hi"? Do I wave? Do I do anything at all?

By the time I've made a decision, the person is gone and I realize I've missed another chance to potentially form a lasting relationship.

This post is for that person, whomever they may be.

If I said anything to you, I might start off with an apology. I'm sorry that I never say anything to you when I see you. Sometimes, I want to so badly, but fear or frustration or something else entirely prevent me from it. I fully take the blame for that and I'm sorry.

In addition, I'd like to say, "Don't be afraid to wave, call out my name, or say 'Hi!'" I don't mind and even if I make little indication of having heard, I probably did and it encouraged me a lot that someone took notice.

I would say, "When I see you next I may attempt to say something." Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

So many instances come to mind where I have tried to speak or wave or something related and it seemed like I was forgotten in the midst of other obligations. That's alright, sometimes, because I do that too. We all do, but that's not an excuse to not try.

We should be willing to reach out to others, but we fail so much. We choose to stick to where we are most comfortable and, many times, that hurts us more than if we had taken the risk. Risk is a dangerous thing but if we never take risks, how can we ever move forward in life?

That's just it; we can't. We would be trapped in an existence of comfort, wishing for more but never willing to go there.

When we're stuck in that rut, we miss out on so many opportunities, opportunities that could have changed the whole trajectory of our lives if we had just given them a chance. Certainly, some risks really aren't worth it. But for the ones that could be, like attempting to extend a hand of friendship to others, couldn't we give them that chance?

You may find that the risk really wasn't worth it in the end, but you never know unless you try, right?

So here's a challenge for me and you: Let us choose to take one risk, one leap of faith, when it comes to another person and see where it takes us.

Could you hold out your hand?

Open up to someone new?

Understand the pain, and smile too?

React with compassion

And love them through?

Gosh, if only more tried.

Encourage others to be courageous.

Open up to someone new.

Understand their pain, and smile too.

Should you possess the strength

Look upon their pain and offer

Yourself to be their friend.

I hope you will think about it. I most assuredly will.

Have a wonderfully awesome day.

Originally posted on my blog:

"Thoughtful Days"

October 22, 2015

maythelordblessyou.blogspot.com