My sons and daughter like to comment on my habit of talking to strangers. Adam would roll his eyes and just send me a pleading look not to include his name in the conversation. Marina just shakes her head and wonders if we are really related. Clyde vacillates between trying to hurry me up if he's with me to making a running commentary how Amy and I never could pass up a chance to talk. If I didn't love them so much I could take offense.
Luckily for them, I blame the world of technology they were born into where you don't really have to communicate face to face. This generation has become slackers. They would rather tweet it, facebook it, email it or text it than take the time to actually talk face to face. Talk to a stranger? How could that possibly happen with your buds stuck in your ears. Asking for directions today is a challenge. You have to find the one person in the crowd without buds so they can hear you ask!
I have met so many interesting people on planes or in the places I have traveled. A conversation often just starts with a returned smile. Recently I sat by a lady on the way from Perth to Sydney and we began to talk about travel, the places she and I have been and how to do it on a budget. Got some great tips! Soon, it lead to the familiar road of "what you do for a living". The moment you say "travel nanny" you just know there are going to be those questions you have answered so many times you want to carry a card with you and just say "here are your answers". This time it was a pleasant surprise to find out she was connected to the baby world as her Australian company makes high end nursery furniture. I had never heard of Boori and was intrigued as they are launching their cribs in the United States. After we landed I asked my Aussie mom and she said they were great and she would nothing but Boori. After researching them, I was impressed at the Green label they have earned. One more tidbit I can share with my parents on my newborn web site! So laugh if you wish my children, talking to strangers pays off!
In fact, she has invited me to let her know when I am coming back to Sydney as maybe we could meet up or I could travel down to see her, about 90 south of Sydney. I love incidents like this because I get a chance to really know someone from another country and who knows, a future friend.
It is true that sometimes what happens is people have a tendency to tell me their troubles. My husband said he used to think I encouraged it but he has seen me do nothing but smile or return a comment in the grocery line and by the time our turn came, I knew her life history and her problems. He said I had a Statue of Liberty stamped on my forehead that attracted the lost and needy. It is true that there is something about my personality that makes strangers feel they can talk to me about personal matters.
I decided a long time ago that maybe this was my karma and I should just embrace it. You can't ignore your Karma as it will catch up with you so why not sit back and grow with it? Let it wrap you in its warmth as you explore your own cosmic force.
The most important thing you need to do is learn to ignore the critics. I am at the age that I don't have to care so much about other's opinions. When I tell my sister that she reminds me that I have never cared what people think! It's totally untrue of course as if you have a respectable idea, I am open to listening. I just don't give credence to those who want to change me--make me fit into their boring world.
My mamma taught me well...
Luckily for them, I blame the world of technology they were born into where you don't really have to communicate face to face. This generation has become slackers. They would rather tweet it, facebook it, email it or text it than take the time to actually talk face to face. Talk to a stranger? How could that possibly happen with your buds stuck in your ears. Asking for directions today is a challenge. You have to find the one person in the crowd without buds so they can hear you ask!
I have met so many interesting people on planes or in the places I have traveled. A conversation often just starts with a returned smile. Recently I sat by a lady on the way from Perth to Sydney and we began to talk about travel, the places she and I have been and how to do it on a budget. Got some great tips! Soon, it lead to the familiar road of "what you do for a living". The moment you say "travel nanny" you just know there are going to be those questions you have answered so many times you want to carry a card with you and just say "here are your answers". This time it was a pleasant surprise to find out she was connected to the baby world as her Australian company makes high end nursery furniture. I had never heard of Boori and was intrigued as they are launching their cribs in the United States. After we landed I asked my Aussie mom and she said they were great and she would nothing but Boori. After researching them, I was impressed at the Green label they have earned. One more tidbit I can share with my parents on my newborn web site! So laugh if you wish my children, talking to strangers pays off!
In fact, she has invited me to let her know when I am coming back to Sydney as maybe we could meet up or I could travel down to see her, about 90 south of Sydney. I love incidents like this because I get a chance to really know someone from another country and who knows, a future friend.
It is true that sometimes what happens is people have a tendency to tell me their troubles. My husband said he used to think I encouraged it but he has seen me do nothing but smile or return a comment in the grocery line and by the time our turn came, I knew her life history and her problems. He said I had a Statue of Liberty stamped on my forehead that attracted the lost and needy. It is true that there is something about my personality that makes strangers feel they can talk to me about personal matters.
I decided a long time ago that maybe this was my karma and I should just embrace it. You can't ignore your Karma as it will catch up with you so why not sit back and grow with it? Let it wrap you in its warmth as you explore your own cosmic force.
The most important thing you need to do is learn to ignore the critics. I am at the age that I don't have to care so much about other's opinions. When I tell my sister that she reminds me that I have never cared what people think! It's totally untrue of course as if you have a respectable idea, I am open to listening. I just don't give credence to those who want to change me--make me fit into their boring world.
My mamma taught me well...
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