Stolen moments with perfect strangers...

I often visit the mall next to my building, for acquiring grocery for my home. But sometimes, my visits are much more than just shopping expeditions. A mundane task like acquiring grocery for my kitchen turns out to be treasured experience when I accidentally meet some interesting peoplel. There are fascinating stories about people, human nature and life in general. And there is never dearth of tales and lessons whenever there are people around! It is when I have some stolen moments and quiet interludes, with complete strangers that I sometimes chance upon prove my visits to the mall , much more valuable.

I usually gravitate towards people who kindle enthusiasm and are open to share. Interactions with such people, instantly brings a new level of human connection. I find many people quite interesting and a few have even left a lasting impression on me no matter how short the interaction has been. I am often intrigued by the various layers of the human nature that keep unfolding in my observations.

There is a lady working at the security gate, at the mall that I frequent. She always greets everybody with her beautiful, genuine smile. No matter what the number of visitors at the mall, each woman would be welcomed by a warm "hello" and "have a good day" from this lady. Once I asked her if her back hurts badly as she has to bend so many times during her security checking rituals. She winked at me and said, "madam, it is difficult and painful but I get to see so many beautiful, well dressed people here and I love it! It is worth breaking my back. You know, my sense of dressing has become sophisticated ever since I started working at this place and my husband loves that change in me!"

The grocery store at the mall hires many people in their twenties. Most of them are efficient in their work but there is one person in particular who is exceptionally meticulous and brilliant at his job. Generally, there is rush at the fruits and vegetable section. Every time fresh fruits and vegetables are placed in the baskets, people dart to those counters with the trolleys as if they are participating in Olympic race! This invariably creates chaos. One of the staff members working at that section always manages to ease off tension between arguing people and makes sure that each customer leaves the counter with happy face. He cracks jokes, goes out of his way to serve every possible customer diligently and does that with such dignity that people listen to him! I asked him once, how he manages such a harrowing task of keeping his cool when people behave in most uncivilized manner, he said, "madam, such scenes create bad impression and I can't let that happen around me. So I just do what is needed and laugh it off. Believe me, it provides great entertainment for me too."

There are many other examples of people whom I come across everyday, who conduct themselves in exemplary manner in difficult situations. These people are my everyday heroes. They don't come from educated or privileged background. Their everyday life is a struggle and yet they face life with optimism, have a healthy attitude that reveals insights of wisdom in a way one rarely expects to find.

We generally don't reflect on small yet significant incidents like the ones I mentioned above. When we are aware of  people around us and their existence, it becomes deeply fulfilling experience. There are immenses number of people who touch my life everyday, in some undefined beautiful way. The delight of such interludes is the genuineness of their spirit and their dynamism that is reflected in their way of coping with life. The joy derived from witnessing it  is exquisitely personal!