Love and practice daily! Ps tend and befriend link article. I have used unintentionally until recently tend and befriend as a stress response and became lacking in self because always over serving to stay safe. Interesting.
This is a beautiful reminder. We have a waiter at our local California Pizza Kitchen that my kids love so much. We have made enough small talk over the years that he knows a little about us and we know a little about him and it all feels really nice.
Love this! I feel like it’s a thing for some people to kind of boast about how they hate small talk. But this kind of “low-lift” relationship, as you put it, makes up the fabric of our lives! I really love having these connections—it makes me feel like I live in Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood 😊
Love your writing! Your message here so resonates with me, and I can't agree more. When we look up from our phones, and actually say hello, there's a real person in front of us, and they can become a wonderful part of our life. (I know you didn't exactly write that, but that's my addition to your lovely post.) Thank you.
I appreciate the way you are shining a spotlight on something it seems we have forgotten in our digital age--the simple power of ordinary connections.
As I read your essay today, I thought of Sally, my favorite cashier at the Fresh Thyme where I shop. She is one of those low-lift relationships, as you call it (great word, by the way), but you're right--there's something about the familiarity of seeing the same person and having that regular, consistent interaction with them that is really fulfilling. It's meaningful. It matters.
I feel like we can do this everywhere we go throughout our days--we can stop and smile, say hello, thank the service worker, maybe call them by name and strike up a conversation after interacting with them a few times. It really does make a difference.
I loved as I entered my dry cleaners that they were already pulling my clothes and that my mechanic called me by name when I walked in the door. It’s a sense of community that is so often missing in our sometimes transient lives.
I love community it makes me feel good. I feel supported by my fitness, religious, therapy, physical therapy/medical community. Even the bookstore and library folks know me. Gives a reason for commitment and success and acceptance of who we are
It’s really delightful and heartwarming when the people you see everyday get to know you! I go to the same coffee shop every day, and they often just confirm I’m getting my usual when I pull up to the drive-through screen! Yeah, I go there every day, but they see hundreds of people a day, and they made an effort to remember ME!
My best friend told me that once I got a dog I would be saying hello to everyone. She was right! I’ve been in the same apartment complex for 4 years now, and now know the names of 3 neighbors and actually hold a conversation beyond small talk. All because I’m outside with my dog, waving and saying hello as people pass by.
I wrote about these casual connections during the pandemic. I particularly remember thinking about this older guy Tom who attended the same yoga classes as me, who I would say hi to but didn't really know, but when there was no in person class I remember wondering how he was doing.
Today the barista at the small coffee shop by job noticed when I changed my order and I immediately thought of this post.
something that has lived in everyone brain forever as an emotion and you have finally put it into words
Beautiful there’s nothing like feeling connected to the place and community you live. Happy for you.
“A rubbed nap” I feel this to my core. 🫶🏾 Cheers to the beauty of casual encounters
No deep tissue for me😂
🤣‼️
Love and practice daily! Ps tend and befriend link article. I have used unintentionally until recently tend and befriend as a stress response and became lacking in self because always over serving to stay safe. Interesting.
So good!
This is a beautiful reminder. We have a waiter at our local California Pizza Kitchen that my kids love so much. We have made enough small talk over the years that he knows a little about us and we know a little about him and it all feels really nice.
Love this! I feel like it’s a thing for some people to kind of boast about how they hate small talk. But this kind of “low-lift” relationship, as you put it, makes up the fabric of our lives! I really love having these connections—it makes me feel like I live in Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood 😊
Love your writing! Your message here so resonates with me, and I can't agree more. When we look up from our phones, and actually say hello, there's a real person in front of us, and they can become a wonderful part of our life. (I know you didn't exactly write that, but that's my addition to your lovely post.) Thank you.
This is lovely, Nedra.
I appreciate the way you are shining a spotlight on something it seems we have forgotten in our digital age--the simple power of ordinary connections.
As I read your essay today, I thought of Sally, my favorite cashier at the Fresh Thyme where I shop. She is one of those low-lift relationships, as you call it (great word, by the way), but you're right--there's something about the familiarity of seeing the same person and having that regular, consistent interaction with them that is really fulfilling. It's meaningful. It matters.
I feel like we can do this everywhere we go throughout our days--we can stop and smile, say hello, thank the service worker, maybe call them by name and strike up a conversation after interacting with them a few times. It really does make a difference.
I loved as I entered my dry cleaners that they were already pulling my clothes and that my mechanic called me by name when I walked in the door. It’s a sense of community that is so often missing in our sometimes transient lives.
I love community it makes me feel good. I feel supported by my fitness, religious, therapy, physical therapy/medical community. Even the bookstore and library folks know me. Gives a reason for commitment and success and acceptance of who we are
Thank you for this! I relate to everything you shared with your experiences. It validates what I’ve been doing for years.
You are so on target with your comment that there is something beautiful about going to the same:
* Grocery store
* Nail technician
* Shipping store
* Coffee shop/Restaurants
* Post office
* Hairstylist
* Massage therapist
It’s like the chorus line from the Cheers theme song:
“Sometimes you wanna go
Where everybody knows your name
And they're always glad you came
You wanna be where you can see
Our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name”
“Low-lift” relationships that are meaningful and important. 🙌🏻
It’s really delightful and heartwarming when the people you see everyday get to know you! I go to the same coffee shop every day, and they often just confirm I’m getting my usual when I pull up to the drive-through screen! Yeah, I go there every day, but they see hundreds of people a day, and they made an effort to remember ME!
My best friend told me that once I got a dog I would be saying hello to everyone. She was right! I’ve been in the same apartment complex for 4 years now, and now know the names of 3 neighbors and actually hold a conversation beyond small talk. All because I’m outside with my dog, waving and saying hello as people pass by.
My afternoon bus driver!!
I wrote about these casual connections during the pandemic. I particularly remember thinking about this older guy Tom who attended the same yoga classes as me, who I would say hi to but didn't really know, but when there was no in person class I remember wondering how he was doing.