My 10,000 steps in today.
Making more of an effort to take walks throughout the day.
This adds a clarity and pause to the mental landscape of the day.
While thinking over some aspects of myself that I'd like to improve upon, I came up with a resolution last night as I was falling asleep.
Meet 5 new people.
I want to get better about talking to people that I do not know.
I think I've gotten wrapped up in my own world and have become closed off in some ways.
I want to meet the person that I pass on my walk downtown. I want to get better about striking up conversations with people, wherever I'm at.
Well after work today I took a walk to top off the last of my self mandated steps 😅 and I met a guy as he was walking his dogs. He happened to be nearly deaf and we talked for awhile about hearing loss and various other things that were going on with him.
After we parted I laughed at myself for feeling a little drained from our conversation.
“This is what you wanted”
When I do engage with people, they tend to go off about anything and everything.
I take this as a sign that there is something in me that has made this person very comfortable.
I continued walking and then saw an old patron of mine from my bartending days sitting on the patio of the cigar place.
I pass this place daily, multiple times a day. I always give a wave, “hey how you doing”. Today though, I propped up on the railing and started to chat these folks up. I must have been in a silly goofy mood because I decided to plop down and join in their beer and cigar ritual.
I am fascinated by this cigar place because everytime I pass I see a mix of all types of people straight chilling. I generally like places that attract a mix of people. I need variety in many areas of my life and I seek out experiences where I can be exposed to different things and people.
I proceeded to meet at least ten other patrons as they came in, they all seemed to know each other. I've been to many bars in my day but I haven't been to a place that had this sort of comfortable comraderie among patrons. I had a beer, a new friend gave me a cigar, and I was now in the gang. I got into a few conversations and generally sat there just enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and absorbing the uniqueness of the situation.
I'm not big on cigars and I'm mostly anti-smoking but sometimes you just get over yourself and enjoy a different experience.
Life is made rich by the people you share it with, so why not get better at sharing it with a greater variety of people?
I feel lucky to be open and popping holes in my bubble every day.