Did You See That Face?
Friday, February 25, 2011
This past week I got out a bit more than usual, I saw a bit more than normal and tried to recall the week in faces. You do know faces are not always on our head don’t you? Look …
There on the side of the road was a man; (I was stopped at a red light) pushing a shopping cart that had been converted into a trailer. His trailer was full of morning dumpster treasures and he himself looked like water and food were avoiding him. He caught my stare, we smiled at each other, I waved, he waved and the light turned green. Pulling off I was in awe of his finds.
There at the assisted living community sits a woman. Should you ask her a question she will look at you with eyes similar to a deer caught in headlights. However, should my mother walk in… a glaring ray of light emits and smile graces her face. My mother always stops and hands out hugs.
There at the chained restaurant where I ate lunch was a bar tender. Making $2 an hour you would expect him to be less than attentive. What a refreshing joy it was when greeted by an over active, over achieving, happy to be employed barkeep. This guy was so personable he showed me pictures of how he had trained his dog to use the toilet. TMI!
As I look back on the week I recall so many faces and not because of facial features. I recall these faces because of the life behind the face.
The man with his shopping cart trailer; hard times for sure, making the most with what he could find and still… he could wave and smile.
The lady at the assisted living community; her mind being robbed with the fleeting of time and I’m sure an evil disease. But compassion, she recognized compassion and it brought her back to life.
The barkeep who works for $2 an hour? All I can say about him is, if we all. If we all could take our personal situations and make lemonade like him… well we sure would not need to spike it.
In leaving you for the weekend I have a challenge. Challenge yourself to see the faces you pass, see them for what they are and appreciate them for that they can bring to you.
Head high and eyes wide open will at least allow you to see what is right in front of you.
Have a great weekend.
Peace…
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32 comments:
Faces tell a thousand stories. They're more about *seeing* than just looking.
You're having a Philosophical Friday for sure.
Have a great weekend.
What a strange bartender!
Never costs us anything to smile!
Food for thought there Jules.
In a week we must past countless faces, yet do we remember them,
Well I think folk may remember me if I was on my slide,
Have a smashing week-end.
Yvonne.
Food for thought there Jules.
In a week we must past countless faces, yet do we remember them,
Well I think folk may remember me if I was on my slide,
Have a smashing week-end.
Yvonne.
Great post Jules- You think so much differently. I like that about you. I'll look and see what I can find-Have a fairy great weekend
Jules,
That was very touching and very receptive on your part, although that doesn't surprise me. When I began reading, the first captured an image of heading back from the eye Dr. yesterday and I noticed a man pushing a shopping cart but he averted my gaze, therefore, I averted his. I'm now wondering what could have happened otherwise.
Thanks my friend and I will definitley report on the challenge.
It is indeed a very interesting activity to watch people, how they do, what they do and I personally believe that everyone might not have a face worth remembering, but everybody has a spark we could draw a smile or inspiration from. And a crowd is the best place to study people, body language.
Cheers,
Blasphemous Aesthete
I'm a sucker for a good looking and personable bartender!
Alex
Breakfast Every Hour
I like observing faces and picking up snippets of conversations. Helps me as a writer. It's names I'm terrible at!
Happy weekend.
I'm too negative for this challenge. Everyone is just a sheep until I get to know them, and even then some people can't rise above that classification.
Kind of why I turned to blogging. More likely to encounter real people with genuine thoughts. :)
The best way to put yourself forward and be remembered; Smile!
Glad you are okay, wondered when I heard about your area on the news...
I did have encounters, yesterday with people as you described and some
Debbie Downers~
Happy Friday Jules~
Too many people forget to look at those hidden treasures. Takes one to know one. You are gold.
Sometimes faces I see leave an impression--but only when I really focus on what's around me or there's something outstanding about the face.
I will definitely take on this challenge. :)
Have a wonderful weekend!
People are great, aren’t they? I love people watching, and watching their eyes – the windows to their souls. For now, the face I leave you with, is a smile :) Enjoy your weekend, Jules.
Jules, this made me smile, and so does the challenge. It's amazing what you can see when you look one in they eye. We all too often forget to really look. To really see the face. Maybe we're afraid to. Maybe we don't think we have the time.
I'm taking your challenge to heart, and I'll be noticing some faces this weekend - maybe many for the first time. ;)
I'm impressed! I sadly do not notice people as much as I wish. I will make it a goal this week though.
This is great! As writers it's imperative that we pay attention--thanks for reminding us!
Great reminder - we have to see, not just look. Have a great weekend :)
I loved this, Jules. You are so thoughtful, life isn't going to pass you by.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium
I love people watching! I like to observe them and wonder what they're doing and what they're thinking and where they're going.
There is so much more to a person than what we see on the outside.
I love this post! :D
I am a "people watcher" ALL THE WAY! And it sounds to me like you had an incredibly rich week! I'm happy for you! :D
Corine :D
What a wonderful post! A great reminder. I will rise to your challenge this weekend. :)
Way to see the positive side of things. Thanks, Jules, for the reminder :)
Great post Jules! It is amazing how one smile can make your day. Whether you give it first or someone gives it to you.
sometimes I see too much and it bothers me for days because I wonder about the days after I saw them.
Your challenge is challenging to leave the house--something I don't do much of these days. Even when I was working my last job and had a regular paycheck coming in, most of the time I was rarely around many people because my job was inside and contact was mostly by phone.
But I like what you've said because I've seen that as well. People go by, but sometimes it's nice to just stop and get to know some of them even if only for a brief period.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I an always amazed at how much friendlier the people at Aldi's discount grocery store with mostly poorer and assistance patrons, are usually very friendly and so polite. While the people over at Kohl's or Bed Bath and Beyond are rude as heck most days. Seriously, one of these days I'm going to tell the chicks with 'perfect' hair and makeup that they still live in IOWA, not New York City! I'm so much happier being at the Aldi's store! :-)
Have a Wonderful week, Jules!!
Hugs,
Coreen xoxoxo
good idea, nice post
+ followed:)
When my mom met my Dad he a had a big black cat who could use the toilet! But he (the cat, not my Dad) didn't know how to flush.
We share the same sentiment! All of us need to be better at noticing those around us, as we never know the story behind the person - or if that person will have an impact on our life. (Or vice versa.)
Love this post - and what does it say about you - the one who noticed them?
Thank you for showing us your face dear rainbow girl - now I see you much better!
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