Saying Hello

A couple of mornings ago I was walking out of the parking lot toward my office when I recognized the CEO of the company driving in. He was talking on his cell phone as he stopped to wave his badge at the automatic gate. I have this thing about always looking at the people in cars as they pass in the parking lot, in case I recognize him, and it so happened that even though he was driving and talking, he also looked up and past the gate sensor and saw me.

Our eyes met, I smiled, and he gave me a great smile at about the same moment, and a half-wave with his badge.

I've spoken with this man once, a year ago. He probably wouldn't remember my name. He might or might not recognize me if we ran into each other elsewhere, but probably not. But I felt like he really saw me and gave as much of a genuine greeting as he could under the circumstances.

When I got into the building, I greeted and was greeted by our security guards, and then exchanged cheerful good mornings with one of the new guys in the mail room who delivers on my floor.

And I went on to my desk in an excellent mood, feeling very good about the company I work for, about the great people I work with.

It was several days before I realized that I and my own attitude had been as much a key factor in the greetings and smiles as the people around me. And that was kind of a nice thought.

( I've been thinking about incident for a couple of days but was prompted to actually post it by todays Note from the Universe )

Public Thank You. . .

. . .to dancingchaplain for sharing her Emma in Armor icon!