What happens when you smile to strangers in the street

For the past few weeks, I have been trying to be more present.

After a talk with an amazing human being, who’s also one of my main mentors and one of my favorite persons, I have realised that I had slipped in a practice of judging a lot while talking to people, including my closest friends. Instead of empathically listening, I had become so focused on observing, analysing and interpreting that I missed out on a lot.

So, I have started practicing a more present, compassionate and empathetic way of listening — both with the ears and with the eyes. And it’s definitely not easy — it’s actually tiring, because most of the time, it requires more focus.

If you pay closer attention, you’d be surprised how much the mind wonders while you listen to someone talking, whether you’re thinking of your next meeting, what you had for lunch or mapping what that someone is telling you to your own experiences and memories. It is so much easier to tune out and pretend like you are listening, or to judge what the other person is saying, isn’t it?

I’m not pointing fingers, I’m the first one to be guilty of all of the above.

So, one easy way I have found to be more present is to pay attention to what is going on around you when you’re walking in the street.

Look at people.

Create eye contact.

And smile.

Some people, head down locked on their screen, or with an absent worried gaze, will walk by without noticing you, and that’s okay. I usually smile to myself when that happens, and try to be compassionate —maybe they have a lot on their plate, maybe they didn’t see me, maybe… you just never know what’s going on in someone’s life. No need to take it personally.

Some people, however, will catch your smile and return it with warmth and maybe even gratitude. Gratitude of being there, gratitude of sharing a moment, gratitude of creating joy.

At least that’s how I feel. I love it so much I do it everyday, as much as I can, because it creates small moments of unattached and genuine connection. And it has been a good first step towards becoming a little more present every day.

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Give it a try ! Next time you’re walking in the street, put your phone in your pocket and look around. Try to catch someone’s attention and smile. How do they react ? How does their reaction make you feel ? Does that help with being more present ?

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