The power of hello

From the short amount of time that I've been here, there's one big difference from the city that has really stood out.  No matter where you go or who you see, people always say "hello."  From the neighbors, to the person passing you at the store or the gardener on the side of the road, you always get a wave, a hello or maybe just a nod.  Now in the city I find this to be a little less common.  I mean sure you get your nods here and there but I think that city life is so much more busy and fast paced that people don't really take the time to acknowledge one another, especially a stranger.  People are much more concerned with where they have to be or what they have to do which doesn't leave much room for concern of others unless absolutely necessary.  I myself am guilty of this and the occasional "hello" in the city usually threw me off guard and still does even in a place where it's common.  Our sweet neighbor waves every time he sees us and by the time I notice and have the chance to respond, he's not looking anymore and I think "I've got to get better at this."  I mean think about it, even if it's not something that you're used to, how do you feel when someone acknowledges you and says "hello?"  Go ahead, say it, you feel good.  A hello and a smile can really go a long way. You never know what someone is going through, or what their day has been like or is going to be like.  You also never know how your "hello" or short conversation affected some ones day or maybe even life. 

Never underestimate the power of "hello."

LC