It is an honor to be able to write for La Porte County Life, so I first want to extend my sincere gratitude to them. This gives me the extraordinary opportunity to expand my thoughts and beliefs outside my classroom walls to all of you. I want this column, A Spark for Change, to be a place to laugh, inspire, reflect, and spread joy collaboratively. I want you to share your thoughts with me and for us to all learn from each other.
You will all discover quickly that I am infinitely inspired to make my life into something special; however, I am more inspired to transform the lives of others. I want to be a spark for positive change, a change rooted in kindness, empathy, compassion, and a love of life and others.
I want to start by opening up and being honest with all of you about a disease that I have had ever since the day I could formulate a sentence. It has been diagnosed as the “Know-No-Stranger-Disease.” I grew up watching my dad and grandpa running into Kabelin’s and talking to complete strangers as though they had known them their whole lives; therefore, it was an easy self-diagnosis. Its main side effect is the uncontrollable urge to meet and learn about every person possible.
I was the seven-year-old making conversation with the lunch ladies. I was the college kid who befriended the elderly saxophone player at a restaurant, and I am now the girl who has become close friends with Traci at Family Express. I love people. I love their stories. I love what they can teach me. Every person has a story, and every story has a lesson.
Chances are you frequent the same places around La Porte County like me with my needed caffeine boost before I venture into school. Chances are also that you see some of the same people almost daily. Take the extra second that is needed to say hello the next time you get a chance. Ask their names and how they are doing. You can never underestimate the importance of taking the time to stop and chat with someone. You have validated them, and they will in turn validate you.
That is, deep down, one of the few things we all want: validation. It is the “I see you, and I care.” This, my friends, is powerful. I now know that Traci loves her granddaughter, who she lovingly calls Pumpkin, more than anything. Traci hates when her daughter has to head back down to college, sometimes rolls through stop signs, and loves pop in the morning. What to many is a meaningless necessity of the day has become a moment I cherish because I get to see my friend.
The majority of people in this world are good people with good hearts. You just need to take a moment to reach out to them. It could change his/her life and yours. The next time you are out and about make it a point to say hello. It is one of the simplest acts of kindness you can give. You never know who you may meet. I promise you the “Know-No-Strangers-Disease” is one worth catching.
Go do great things,
EP “There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't yet met.” William Butler Yeats
Your task is to comment on this article and talk about people you have met around La Porte County because of a simple hello. Let’s get a conversation going about all the amazing people we have around our area.