Time: I heard that 10:10 pm is the best time to be creative and to solve problems. I have also heard that the shower produces a zen like effect to assist in a meditative like state for creativity and thoughts to flow. So, I ask you this...since my clock in my bathroom is stuck at 10:10, does that in itself mean that I will always be creatively thinking when I am in the shower?
Second thought...totally unrelated.
Shriley? I was people watching as I often do and realized that I am not just a "chipper gal" who likes to spread cheer. When entering the building every morning, for example, I can't help to say, "Good morning," to the sleepy student working the front desk or the facilities staff carefully de-icing the sidewalks after the machine did a so-so job. I can't help but to make small talk on the elevator or thank someone out loud for holding a door open for me. I can't resist chatting it up with the students and staff I see daily in the cafeteria. As I watch others, most are not inclined to communicate with some of these folks. It is not that they are rude individuals. I'll back up a bit, let's take the student working the door of the cafeteria. When you enter the cafeteria, there is a student that slides other students cards through for entry, takes cash for those paying as one time guests or collects tickets from those of us who get them through working at Case Hall. That is her/his job. Day after day, person after person -- and we are talking about thousands of students per day handling everyone who enters. Ok, back go my observation of the non talkers. Some have their ipods on and just going through the motions of their day not to acknowledge or ignore, just to be. Some are talking with the people they will sit with for lunch. Some look like they have a hang over and are glad to be able to walk--an all-nighter look at least. Some seem inconvenienced to have to wait five seconds if there is a line, and then there are a few who know the student worker and shout out the good ole' "what up?"-but not really looking for a response. There are a few people that acknowledge the student doing their job and divert the energy of the assembly line process. I am one of these people. For me, it is not that I can't shut up--as I know many of you are thinking...although it is a fair thought, based on my affinity to chatter. It is that I can't ignore the energy I feel while in the presence of others. It is not just following customs and courtesies like I am sure some of the other greeters follow. It is deliberate. It is important to me. It is an organic push to connect with the other energy, to acknowledge the space and time we share and to respect the presence as a life form rather than the task handler of an assembly line process. Now, I know this sounds like I have been reading some Shirley MacClain books or something, but alas, no. I just realized as I shook a student out of their daze this morning into a shock because someone spoke to them and there was a five second delay in the students response of "good morning?" that the greeting was not typical. I am sure others of you are thinking...leave them alone, let them be sleepy and dazed- you are probably driving them crazy! But, I don't get this sense. I don't stop and have a half hour conversation when they are clearly fighting to stay awake, I simply say, "good morning," "Stay warm," "Have a great night." or some such greeting. The response I feel is energy awakening, momentary connectivity and real time interaction.
Those are my thoughts for today. Feel free to comment...so in the moment I am reading the comments, we are connected-as is our energy...(I couldn't resist to add this piece!). Maybe I should read some Shirely MacClain... :)
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