Feature Article July 31, 2003
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"Have a Lovely, Lovely Day Forever"The words came out of the blue as my Significant Helpmate and I were crossing a coffee shop parking lot after leaving the dental office. I had my eyes to the ground, depressed about losing another of my diminishing number of teeth and didn't see the source of the greeting until we had met and passed by an elderly couple heading towards their car. We simultaneously turned and I hope they didn't catch my surprise but did see my attempt to smile with anaesthetized lips and cheek.
They were inspiring words of encouragement from a stranger who, I am certain, did not know of my despair. I am ashamed that my first reaction was, "What was that all about?" but my mood was uplifted. This greeting came unsolicited from a contented and happy man, whoever he was.
Unfortunately we are not accustomed to such pleasant greetings from others; our receptors readily detect the bad vibrations; the rages, the scowls, the curses and shouts. That pleasant and random wish from a stranger made my day and set me musing about greetings between humans, both friends and strangers. Greetings reflect our mood of the moment. Having to answer the phone during a pleasant dinner for a telemarketing appeal quickly changes one's disposition and any chance of a sale on his or her part is dashed as the spaghetti congeals on the plate. Even my usual congeniality is tested under those conditions. It is as unpleasant as answering the phone to be greeted by, "Who is this?" to which I usually reply, "It's your quarter and you should know whom you are calling." before hanging up the phone.
Too often I am greeted in a doctor's waiting room with, "How are you?" When I reply with "I'm here trying to find out!" or recite a long litany of health complaints the greeter's eyes cloud over and he or she seeks someone more pleasant to sit beside. The greeter didn't really care how I feel, but society's rules demand a greeting of some sort no matter how inappropriate.
But the stranger we met in the parking lot inspired me. I shall have pity, but not necessarily a sale, for the underpaid student trying to sell me life insurance over the phone, even in the middle of a meal. I shall try to be more tolerant of greetings in the doctor's waiting room; aware that the greeter wants to tell me about his or her ailments rather than listen to mine. I will try, but better check my mood and remind me of my promise as you speak to me; I am getting as short of memory as teeth.
Perhaps if we keep Adair Lana's words in mind, all of us can help make this old world a little more pleasant just because we are part of it, as did the elderly gentleman in the parking lot.
"Practice random acts of kindness,
And senseless acts of beauty."
- Adair Lana
