Some strangers are not strangers after all.
Sometime a few months ago, I was on my first day working as a Student Ambassador. It was an Open Day and the idea of talking to big groups of people was kind of freaking me out. I was waiting for my turn to lead a Campus Tour when our coordinator, Grace turned her back and whispered something to a senior ambassador. The ambassador then sat next to me and started talking about how my day has been and how I was feeling. I didn't really think about it but as we talked, I felt more at ease and less afraid of the day. Then, I realized what Grace was trying to do earlier.
I was standing in front of the reception when a coach driver greeted me with a big smile, exclaiming "Cheer up, lady!" I must have been staring at the walls for too long, thinking too much and too hard about some bothering things. We then have a little chat and despite the dislike I have talking to strangers, at the end of it, I felt a release of a heavy feeling. It was just what I needed.
I was waiting alone for the bus in front of ASDA when it rained heavily. I stood outside of the bus shelter because it was too full. I had my waterproof hoodie on but the rain still found its way, splashing on my face and my jeans. Then I caught an old man staring at me. I smiled back and all that time I was trying to figure out what could he be thinking. Maybe I reminded him of his long-time Asian girlfriend (like what a mad man told me last time). The bus came and the man who was now standing close to me told me, "You could have gone inside the shelter, young lady." I smiled, feeling the sincerity of his words and the lovely feeling that went along with it.
"Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some sort of a battle."
- Anonymous
