Really look at people and see them if only for a second or two.

I can tell I’m truly a shy person because I don’t like to make eye contact with people I don’t know well. I can appear outgoing and friendly and am, but I find myself kind of curling up like a leaf and closing off sometimes. I think there are a lot of lonely people out there. Sometimes including me. I think it’s nice to connect with people but simply looking at them and saying hello. It’s small but big. I keep this on the list to remind me to connect a bit more with people.

Of all the things on my list, I think this is the one that really connects me. I mean the have, do and be stuff is good but this one makes me feel like a better human. I’m glad I wrote it down, it reminds me.

...I’m going to make more of an effort to be less of a smart ass. I mean sometimes I’m funny but I think it’s just a defense mechanism to make some off the cuff remark all the time. When you really look at someone, sometimes being quiet allows them to say something important or feel connected to you. I’m going to try be a little more serious and also, laugh more at their jokes and not have to jump right in with mine.

I’m in pain after reading about the Virginia Tech shootings. We need more kindness in this world. Our young people are having serious mental health problems. Let’s start seeing each other.

I’m really noticing my eye contact, or sometimes the lack of it. I consciously say to myself, you aren’t looking at him/her. It seems to help. This must be a protection device for me.

I find myself reminding myself to look at people more and, maybe, smile … for NO APPARENT REASON. They look and smile back.
It sort of puts more authenticity in the day.

There was this man in the bagel shop today…he had an oxygen tank on and it was making the pssst…psst….pssst noise. People ignored him. It reminded me of my thought that it must be very painful over time to be ignored or invisible. In an effort to be polite we don’t look at each other. Especially if someone has something “wrong” with them. I’m going to try make more eye contact with all kinds of people. I’m shy about that generally, but I think it makes the world a more humane place