Talk to a stranger

I started this blog with intent to always post my opinions and feelings and express them without guilt. Within the last year I really realized that you learn more about yourself and life by speaking to a stranger. My parents along with most throughout the world have always taught us not to talk to strangers...because this could possibly be a danger.

 I have always respected the opinion that not talking to a stranger was my safest bet. As I have become an adult I have realized that being safe is not only boring but dangerous as well. Maybe not dangerous in the sense that my parents were thinking...but in the sense of staying sheltered!

I have met some very interesting people just from having random conversations. I met one of my closest and best friends as a stranger. Everyone is a stranger the first time you meet them! My best friend and I met sitting outside on a picnic table outside of a community college. I walked up and started talking to her about her top and we sparked up an interesting conversation about Chicago (where I'm from) and how long I had been in California (2 weeks at the time). It has now been four years and we are still as close as ever!

Within reason, having that random conversation with an elderly person, young adult, even a young kid really could change that persons, or your life forever.

I met an amazing elderly man outside of campus, when I was attending FIDM. My car had been towed (a whole different story) and I was sitting on the curb waiting for a ride to come and get me. He came over to me and asked me if I was okay. I was so surprised by him coming up to me seeing as I was in LA and you don't generally come across people concerned for your well being. I told him that my car had been towed and he asked me the type of car it was. I got into a long discussion with him. He eventually asked if my boyfriend was coming to pick me up. Seeing as I was single, and he was about 75 years old, this did not weird me out so I told him that I was single.

He proceeded to tell me some interesting advice that has stuck with me ever since. He said... "never settle for less than you deserve and the most important relationship you should have, is with yourself.  Once you stop caring everyone else does." It took some time for this advice to set in, seeing as he was missing a few teeth and was most likely homeless. I never asked him why he was homeless but I did ask if he was okay and if he needed anything before I left. He said "honey...you just made my whole year with this conversation."

Meeting a stranger is not always going to change your life and be an earth shattering moment, but sometimes you meet one person that touches your heart. That one conversation with that random person could really be the drive and advice you need to better yourself. Never judge a random person on the street, a clerk, or any other stranger for that matter. Remember that to them, you are a stranger too!