Meet “Sunny” who is also a regular walker at the park I often visit with my dog. Like many other regulars at the park, he and I had walked passed each other many times before but had never spoken. One day out of the blue, Sunny just randomly stopped me, asking me what my dog’s name is.
Her name is “Bella” I answered him, and we conversed for a few minutes making small talk.
Selfishly, I’ll admit it was a little annoying that this man would barge into my peaceful walking-the-dog and minding my own business serenity, forcing me to remove my earphones and put on hold whatever I had been listening to on my Ipod.
As the following months passed, we’d often show up at the park at the same time, even though neither of us have a set schedule. I think God had a plan and Sunny and I were meant to talk more. Still, if I saw Sunny approaching ahead, I’d often avoid the interruption by looking down at my phone as we passed each other or changing my course and walking in a different direction. We all do things like this, so I know you can relate to my feelings of avoidance.
At this point we still were strangers and didn’t even know each others names.
Last week that changed. I decided I must be more open to unplanned interruptions, as I know that God often sends me messages through strangers and interruptions that shake me out of a normal routine.
As I was walking along, enjoying listening to some personal development materials, I saw Sunny approaching. Removing my earphones, I was open and readying for a new conversation to develop.
This is how our conversation that day went.
“What are you listening to?” asked Sunny…
“I’m studying personal development so that I continue to grow, and so that I can be in great support of my clients”
“What do you do, are you a Coach? asked Sunny…
“I teach people how to think. I show them how important it is to consciously choose their thoughts, so they obtain the results they want in their life.”
A happy guy, Sunny thought for a few seconds and jokingly asked….
“So is there something wrong with me if I’m perfectly content with my life and I don’t want to change?”
From there we went on for 30 minutes to discuss personal goals, and how the mind and thoughts work towards either keeping us stuck in life, or moving us towards our goals.
Sunny shared with me that he had done all he wanted to do in his life, that he had no further goals. He walked at the park daily, likes to eat good food and doesn’t want a computer. A simple man.
Although I don’t know his exact age, I’d guess Sunny is probably in his 60′s. By my estimation he’s still got a lot of life left in him yet he’s ready to “be content” and be done with it. No more growing, no more change desired. No more goals.
I went on to share with him that we were born to serve others and not just sit back and be “content” while keeping our natural gifts and talents to ourselves. I encouraged him to think about that, and to maybe set a goal of helping others now that he’s content.
Are you often to busy or selfish to pay attention to others and strike up conversations? I encourage you to try it, you will be blessed.
I look forward to my next conversation with Sunny, and how God will work this all out.
