Sitting outside today catching some sun away from the chilly temperatures of my office, I people-watched as usual. It's always interesting to see people walk by, and these are the thoughts that circulate through my mind - Who is going to smile, who is going to ignore me as though they don't see a person sitting here, who is going to be a connected human today?
I always feel open and friendly to other people who come my way. This is not how all people feel, and I always wonder what is going on in the mind of those who just ignore. How did our society come to promote not even looking at other people as being the norm? How could this be the preferred way to be in the world? I honestly don't get it.
Used to it? Yes, of course I am not going to cry about not being acknowledged by a passing stranger, but don't you think this is one of the problems in the world today? I mean the disconnected way we behave around "others". Is it possible that we will one day need to teach our children again to be openhearted instead of fearful?
If we keep going as we are, how do you think this world will be in the future? Please comment after some reflection to this question if you can remember the answer: How did you learn to ignore people?