Greeting Each Other
A couple of months ago, I was waiting outside a grocery store. I reached there a little early and only seniors were allowed into the store during those early hours. So I was waiting outside with my mask and my gloves on, geared up and ready to deal with the virus if it was flying around.
A smart lady walked out of the store, following her walking cane.
She wished me a good day and said, ” I am smiling, but alas! this mask literally masks my smile.”
I smiled back at her, of course from within my mask and told her, “I can see that beautiful smile of yours in your eyes! ”
She smiled even widely and said, ” I am glad you do.”
How do you make sure you greet the person you pass by, or come mask to mask with (the new term for face to face ) ? There are absolutely no restrictions on greeting, smiling, waving or wishing each other a good day. So, why not use this time to do that in plenty.
Lifting your hands and saying hello is a good way to greet others. It takes a little more effort, but hey, that arm has been laying still for a very long time, ain’t it! So why not shake it up a little.
Nodding your head up and down and saying hello is a good option too. Be careful about not shaking it too much lest you end up with a neck collar! A slight nod of acknowledgement is visible even with the mask.
If you do not have your dark glasses on, a wide smile is the best thing to greet another person with. That smile slowly spreads into the eyes even through the mask and leaves you and the other person with an elated spirit.
Namaste is fast becoming the new handshake. With leaders from different countries talking about the Indian way of greeting each other with a Namaste, it is time for many more to adopt this age old tradition of greeting and acknowledging each other.
Have you wondered about these things while walking past people? Have you wondered about what the other person mumbled from inside the mask and how to react to it? Am sure you have. We are all thinking about similar things these days and many of us are thinking of ways to be a little nicer to people these days. The whole world ( or at least a majority of the whole world) has become more considerate about their neighbors and communities and about the whole world by and large.
Why? Because we have all learnt an important lesson – “All Out or Nothing” We don’t get out of this situation by climbing on a weaker person or pushing another person down. We can get out of this only by pulling each other out of it.
How long can countries close borders and neighbors seal fences and restrict movement? Obviously, not too long.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu is a sanskrit expression that literally means: “May all beings in the world be happy”. This expression also infers: ” May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all. “
Is there anything better we can wish for, or think about, while greeting each other, than “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu” , now and always!
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu! Om Shanti!
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Comments
I love this, Deepa! You are so right, we only get out of this situation by lifting each other out, rather than by taking cheap shots at each other, which I am seeing far too much of these days. It does take a little more effort to let others know we care now, but your suggestions on how to do that are very good. I also try to let people go ahead of me, and if it’s appropriate, even say something loudly and clearly enough that others can hear. Like “thank you!” or “good morning” or simply “have a nice day.” Small things for sure, but they all add up.
Thank you Ann. We can only do small things and hope that like the ripple effect, it gets bigger and bigger.
You know, I am actually going to use this. I am not sure about the “Namaste” but the simple gesture of placing the hands together will be a good greeting I think. I will let you know how well it works in St Louis.
Thanks Joe , for stopping by and for wanting to try out the Namaste way of greeting .. Am eager to know how it works in St Louis…
Great post. I like how relatable it is. I’ve found myself wondering about the same things you do and because of that I’ve adopted the nod of Acknowledgement and ‘the namaste’ into my greeting repertoire. I absolutely agree with you, that it’s important now more than ever for us to show how much we care for each other.
Am glad you liked and related to this post.
Well said Deepa. I’m grateful for my laughter lines these days. They crinkle up and show I’m smiling. You’re so right about nodding and using your hand. There’s a lot of good returning due to the current nightmare. I guess its time provided to the earth and us for healing. Glad you found my blog. It led me to yours. Looking forward to catching up on your earlier posts.🙂
Yes, may we heal each other and the world..
We will see each other more often now. I publish one article every Friday. Have been following that routine for a while now. I look forward to reading yours too.