Small Steps To Connection As Small Scale Activism
December 14, 2007 | In Connecting With Others |
Table of contents for Perspective On Connection
- We’re Not Alone - Activism Needs Connection
- Small Steps To Connection As Small Scale Activism
- Larger Steps To Connection - Getting To Know Someone
Are you one of the majority of people who move through life as if in a bubble? And, if everyone does it, why should we stand out and be different?
Photo by Pikaluk
First, because activists are by their nature different sorts of folks. And second, because by putting aside the bubble we open ourselves up to chance encounters in the moment. A chance encounter may not move the world, but it does make the day a little better.
Activism Isn’t Just Saving The World
Certainly, activism encompasses large scale activities: saving the whales, reversing climate change. But activism, to me, isn’t just the big things. It’s making a difference in small ways as well. I like brightening up someone’s day and I never know how big of an impact I have. I also like spending time with friends, even if it doesn’t bring about world peace - it still gives me a chance to look at the world a different way and get exposure to different ideas. So, activism includes chance encounters, and small connections that we make every day, as well as the larger, more noticeable actions.
Maybe you’ve never viewed those encounters as “activism” before. However, I view activism as the process of taking action to improve our world. Therefore, I see these encounters as little bits of activism. But how do we make sure that unexpected conversations are improving our world, and not just taking up time? By assuring that they include connection - making the effort to get out of our whirling thoughts for a few moments and be present when talking to someone else.
Five Everyday Situations Where We Can Connect With Others
1. Standing in line. How many times have you talked to someone standing in line with you at the store? I don’t that often, but when I do, I’m always happy that I did have that conversation, however brief.
Just before Thanksgiving, I was at the grocery store. Of course, the store was busy, but I was only purchasing a few items we had run out of. The gentleman standing in back of me also only had a few items. However, we were still stuck in line - even the express line was long. We started a conversation about the crowd and jokingly wondered if we should just try to steal our items. Of course we didn’t and when it was my turn to check out, I thought the conversation was over. But, as luck would have it, I saw the man again in the parking lot; he was parked very near me. He could have just smiled, or even ignored me, but instead, he said, “See you later!”
2. Talking to maintenance personnel. Do you know the names of the maintenance staff (either at work or at home)? I don’t know the names of all the maintenance men at my apartment complex, but I do know a few. I also know the names of the property managers at the building where I work.
Recently, I was filling in for the receptionist, when one of the property managers, Lou, called to ask me if a particular manager had left for the day. Since I don’t normally man the switchboard, I don’t know if the gentleman in question has a habit of telling the receptionist when he leaves. Therefore, I responded, “How would I know?” Since I know Lou has a good sense of humor, he took my comment in the spirit in which it was intended and burst into laughter. He concluded he would have to stop by the other manager’s office and see if he was in. When Lou passed the front desk a few minutes later, he was still laughing.
3. Shopping. Of course you can connect with folks in line to checkout, as I mentioned above, but I’ve also had occasions to connect with other customers before I get to the checkout lines.
The other day I was shopping at the dollar store to pick up a gift bag for Christmas since I have a gift for my mother that is long and odd shaped and didn’t come in a box. Unfortunately, the only gift bags I could find weren’t tall enough. However, I saw a woman walking around with the right size bag in her cart. Before I had a chance to ask her where she got it, she asked me if I had seen any more. Ah, we were both on a mission for the same item! We proceeded to look around the Christmas section at the store together, and I remarked how quickly items were selling. When we eventually found the bags, our conversation continued a bit as we each picked out the design we wanted from the several available.
4. Telling stories with co-workers. If you are anything like me, you spend several hours a day surrounded by other people. And, occasionally, we need a break from our computers and we turn to talk to our co-workers. However, there are some we click with and others we are just friendly with, for whatever reason. That doesn’t mean we can’t connect with those we are normally just friendly with, though.
Recently, I was talking with a group of co-workers and the subject of mnemonic devices come up - you know, those phrases we learned to remember things, like the colors in the rainbow? Although it has been years since any of us have been in school, and none of us have small children, we all remembered a few. (Like ROY G. BIV for the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet)
5. Speaking with store employees. Have you ever stopped to talk to a store employee when you weren’t looking for an item, or ready to checkout?
A few weeks ago, I was looking at the magazine rack at a picture of Johnny Depp from Sweeny Todd. My husband, John, was standing near me, but not right next to me. I said, “Johnny Depp is so…” and I couldn’t think of the right word. John didn’t respond, but the store employee close by straightening the other magazines did. She said, “Handsome?” I smiled at her and responded, “Definitely, but I was thinking more along the lines of strange, or…” Again, I paused. “I wish I was as confident as him; he does such different roles, not afraid to wear outlandish makeup or play oddball characters.” She agreed and we spoke for a few minutes about the different roles Mr. Depp has done.
Moving Forward
These are just a few examples of ways I’m making an effort to reach out to others and find small moments of connection. Although the stories above are unique to me, we’ve all been in similar situations. I hope I’ve given you food for thought for the next time you have the opportunity to connect with someone else.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this post as well as any stories you have about how you are connecting with others in small ways. Please leave your experiences in the comments below.
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