Saying the littlest of words can bring about the largest of impacts.

When you are going about your daily routine do you greet people? Saying Hi!! to the person walking in the store as you are entering. As you drive on the hectic roadways and enter that construction zone do you throw a wave at the person directing traffic? (Not the one finger salute either!!!) As you are sitting waiting on your server to make their way to your table how do you greet them?

I could come up with some more areas but I believe you understand where I am coming from or should I say going with this. Now, not always, but over 90 percent of the time I would say that I attempt to acknowledge others I see or come across. It may not always be a word but most of the time it is a smile. Often it involves a “Hey! How’s it goin?” or to the server it is, “I am doing really good (or great), and you?” It doesn’t take much effort to be positive or smile or just acknowledge others. But what good does it do? Often times I never know but from talking to others I know that they enjoy pleasant words, a smile or a wave. It puts a smile on my face when others do the same to me. You have seen the commercial where a person helps another in a simple way and then that person or someone who saw it passed it on to another, over and over until it came back. It really does mean something to some people. Yes, there is the grumpy person who is never going to be happy or acknowledge a good deed but I feel it is important to show friendliness to all people. One day it may sink in or be remembered, even by that grumpy person.

I do not always do this but there was one day that I was sitting at my computer, on Facebook, and as I was looking at my list of friends online, I decided to attempt a chat with someone that was a friend, but whom I really did not know. What is the worst that could happen? No response right, so no biggie. So here I go, HEY!!! I waited for a second, closed the chat window and went on to checking things out. It wasn't long and I got a response back. We chatted for a while, figuring out the who, what, when, and where. Over time I have been advised that the time chatting has been a real help to the person. I have done this with both sexes and have really gotten into some interesting conversations. By initiating a conversation I have been able to help others through difficult times or say something that they needed to hear or was even able to hear from them something that I was in need of.

I have come to realize the importance of saying Hey, flashing a smile or even that quick wave of acknowledgement. It may just be what that other person receiving the acknowledgement needed. The older I get I am seeing that there are things I have to offer to others. Being willing to step out there and be available is all that any of us can do. Forcing yourself or your opinions on others is not an option, but to offer what you have to others in the most simple of ways can mean more than you realize.