I was in Wichita, Kansas. I get into an empty elevator to meet the rest of the people I was traveling with in the lobby. The elevator stops in between floors to let someone in. It's a stranger and as they get in they say hello. I was shocked. It wasn't hotel staff....I wanted to look over my shoulder, was there someone that I didn't see...who were they saying hello to me. I realized it was odd but I still had my NY pride and to myself I rationalized it afterwards that if I said hello to everyone I pass in NYC, I'd be horse...so discretion is needed. Plus you have to be careful...you don't really look people in the eye on the subways. Although over time that has shifted and I actually wouldn't even describe myself as friendly but as some of the feedback I get, I'm beginning to believe that I'm not shy. Friendly doesn't mean that you have to engage in full out conversations...friendly is in the tone of your voice, it's in your eyes when you interact...and I find that nine times out of ten the people you interact are even nicer and more helpful. Sure there are the curmudgeons out there that just want to miserable no matter what and they are even more fun to be friendly with because they don't quite know how to deal with you. And although I consider myself more of a lover than a fighter, I kind of consider myself more of a lover than a fighter...I like to try to kill people with kindness...not literally kill them but kill their inner curmudgeon for sure. Why be bitter, it's exhausting and bad for the health. And although I'm not sure my mother practiced what she preached, she used to say "You get more with honey than you do with vinegar." Actually this may be the number one rule in the Lulu's Guide to Prosperity Consciousness? And its really true, that is from my experience... And it doesn't cost you anything to be friendly. Actually this may be the number one rule in the Lulu's Guide to Prosperity Consciousness?
I would argue not being friendly actually costs you...the Soul needs friendly to keep the gates of your heart happy so that it can go out and play.
I think some people think it's a pride thing...I thought there was a pride be damned quote that I couldn't remember so I decided to look up some pride quotes and here is a few good ones:
"I would always rather be happy than dignified" - Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
"A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long, as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you." and I would add in front of your face - C.S. Lewis
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Kahlisl Gibran
"It is better to lose your pride with someone you love rather than lose someone you love with useless pride." - John Ruskin
"Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves." - Emily Bronte
Now I got the quote it's pride comes before the fall...it's a biblical quote...meaning if you get stuck in pride it will surely lead to doom. OK I'm going to step back for a second here...maybe I made a leap could there be other things that keep you from being friendly. You can be genuinely shy...but do you want to stay shy...start practicing. Are you highly depressed? Practicing friendliness may help...you can fake it but when you do you always feel it...so when your being friendly to others your actually being friendly to yourself. And I'm also realizing that being friendly is an aspect of love and the first step to inviting a life filled with love. And this reminds me of a Pooh quote I saw on on facebook today,
I mean meditation is fine and good...but enlightenment, shmightenment...true bliss comes from practicing what you preach start with a few extra hellos, smiles at strangers or adding it to the tone of your voice... It's that simple...
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