Finding meaning in our day to day connections with people, places and situations can help us understand ourselves and bring context to our lives. From chance encounters to experiences that leave an imprint on our soul, giving us an opportunity to learn something about ourselves. Read about one of my random encounters from a couple of year's ago.
Blog written Autumn 2018, Wiltshire, UK
Today on my trip to the local supermarket I got talking to a lovely old gentleman. I complimented him saying he smelt really nice (his aftershave was quite strong but very fresh!).
When I said this, I could see it visibility lifted his spirits and with a warm smile he told me I had made his day.
We bumped into each other again in the next aisle and he told me that it was nice that I spoke to him and that people don't talk so much to strangers nowadays.
He then told me that he had travelled the world for 48 years as a pilot and that he was a full-time carer for his wife.
I told him a little bit about what I was up to (I was house sitting for friends at their cottage in Wiltshire at the time).
We spoke for 5 minutes and exchanged warming words to each other. It was a brief but beautiful exchange between two people going about their day.
How precious those moments are to people who may not have much interaction with others.
Our connections to people may be brief or they may be for longer periods, but I have always felt these shape us in more ways than we realise. The experience from that connection is totally unique to us and what we take away from it
Photo: One of my visits to a near by village whilst house sitting for
friends. Lacock Village, Wiltshire
I see no difference when connecting to animals, nature and all that the earth gives us. It's all intrinsically linked to our human existence and what we gain from those experiences.
Doesn't matter if the experience is good or bad, we can still learn something from it. Who we are as a person today is directly linked to our past and present connections. They have shaped us for good or for bad. Think about that!
In recent years, I have tried to be more mindful of my connections with people, places and situations. What feeds my soul, what doesn't, etc (It's a work in progress!).
Whether it's a chance encounter or a more in-depth and sustained connection to someone doesn't really matter as long as you do unto others as you would have them do to you.
Today I made an elderly man's day and that is a good thing.
Want to know about the artist who created this image? Find out about James R.Eads here
James R. Eads is a Los Angeles based surreal impressionist who explores ideas of the soul and human connection through traditional printmaking and new digital media. Like a map to a new world, his pieces act as illustrations for something unknown.
https://www.jamesreads.com/goodbye-helios
Find out more about the photo featured in this blog:
Lacock is a historical, beautiful village in Wiltshire which dates back to the Saxon times. It has been featured in several TV Series and films. The village is protected by the National Trust
