Looking people in the eyes
Something I've noticed lately is that people just do not look people in the eyes when walking around. For instance, walk around in the quad and you will see that most students look straight forward or at the ground. Few people will meet your eyes.
I've been making every attempt to look at people in the eyes lately. There is so much life out there, we shouldn't feel like we have to just look at the ground or straight forward. I wonder if its just a culture thing, or out of fear.
Me, I love talking to people and I am just dying for people to make eye contact so I can say hello and maybe start a conversation with them. What are people so busy with? I don't know.. I passed out flyers on campus all day yesterday (monday) and today, and everybody seems so damn busy. On their cellphones, in a rush to class, on their way to something important.. but no one has time for each other it seems. So busy task managing that they forget about the people around them.
Just a thought...
I encourage you guys to always look around you at your surroundings. Realize (as I am realizing) that you NEED people. They are an integral part of your being.
I've been making every attempt to look at people in the eyes lately. There is so much life out there, we shouldn't feel like we have to just look at the ground or straight forward. I wonder if its just a culture thing, or out of fear.
Me, I love talking to people and I am just dying for people to make eye contact so I can say hello and maybe start a conversation with them. What are people so busy with? I don't know.. I passed out flyers on campus all day yesterday (monday) and today, and everybody seems so damn busy. On their cellphones, in a rush to class, on their way to something important.. but no one has time for each other it seems. So busy task managing that they forget about the people around them.
Just a thought...
I encourage you guys to always look around you at your surroundings. Realize (as I am realizing) that you NEED people. They are an integral part of your being.
I'm a shy person. I won't make the first move, I never start the conversation and unless I know you pretty well I probably won't talk a lot.
Eye contact is a scary thing sometimes, becuase then what do you do next? Say hello, but I don't know you, wha will you think, what will I talk about, you think I'm weird don't you...
and those are just a few of the thoughts that are running through my head whenever I am faced with meating someone new.
And I've gotten better at it too.
I think it's all about the comfort zone. If you don't step out of it you feel safe, and if you do you could gain something, but you might not and so why even bother? It's a hard thing to make that first move into the unknown.
Posted by
Cat |
1:00 AM
cat, thanks for your honesty..i actually know how you feel. i used to feel like that all the time, and on occasion I still do.
it is fear (different variants of it) that I felt. fear of being judged, not liked, saying something stupid, what will they think and the likes..
but I don't want to live in that fear forever. i have to learn to let people see my mistakes and work through that. to see my weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
p.s. i've noticed you have gotten alot better at it.
Posted by
Sean Raybuck |
7:40 PM
from your previous post, I think one thing that i've been seeking recently, and that everyone is really, in-the-end seeking, is abundant life. A life overflowing that I may enjoy God, myself, people, and so that I can have that to give to others.
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:53 AM
good point, moriah. that is exactly what i've been thinking about.
Posted by
Sean Raybuck |
12:06 PM