Good Vibes

I had a truly lovely and moving experience today. In Trader Joe's freezer aisle. With a total stranger. There we were, choosing between talapia and salmon and

StrangerLady: I wish I'd eat like this all the time
Me: Ya know what? I decided that in my 60th year I'll just Love Myself Unconditionally
SL: Yes! I'm 60 too! We've got to be healthy. That's it.

We part ways at the dairy aisle and I grab some eggs. Next thing I know ... 

SL: Will you pray with me?
Me: (thinking: whoa, then: why not) I don't really pray but, yes. I'd like that.

She takes my hand and begins to talk quietly, thanking her God for putting us on the same path today. She said that even though our spiritual practices were different, we loved the same. It was ... quiet and lovely. It was a truly beautiful human moment. We hugged each other and let it go. I'm still feeling the magic. 

I had a reminder today. There are opportunities for joy around each corner for joyful connections. Sometimes I'm "so busy" that I miss stuff.  What started (and continued as a harried, busy day) had a peaceful puddle of love splashed right in the middle.

*I LOVE Flow Magazine. I've been drooling over it online and gifted myself the Papers Lovers edition over the winter. Packed (Packed!) with the most beautiful papers, very fresh and modern. I recently found an issue at Barnes & Noble. It's loaded with inspiration and lovely illustration. 

Comments

[Mary]

Hi Diana...I always enjoy your blog. What a wonderful story about your chance (or was it?) encounter with the Lady at Trader Joe's. Whoever Chris is...she is getting a beautiful gift. Thanks for the heads up about Flow Magazine.
Mary

[Irma]

What a wonderful encounter of the third kind...I love stories like this! Thank you for sharing! - Irma

[Diana Trout]

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Irma. Thanks for commenting. That experience is going to stick with me for a while

[Diana Trout]

Hi Mary, Thanks for commenting. Yes: was it chance? It’s a mysterious magical world. :) Chris is my sister and she thoroughly enjoyed both the wrapping and the contents. Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by

[Traci Bunkers]

That was sweet & lovely! And a reminder to be open. My knee jerk reaction in situations like that is often to throw up a wall & say "No thanks"--which means sometimes missing out on surprises and magic.

[Diana Trout]

Yeah, that was my knee jerk too. But I did a little auto-correct

[Julie]

Thank you so much for sharing your Trader Joe's experience, Diana. I was reading this post in bed Wednesday night and I had to wake up my husband to share it with him (he said "nice" and went right back to sleep ;) ). I have come back to it several times and finally printed it out and shared it with a couple of friends today at work. It impresses me how important it is to be open to those moments that we often brush off and, on the flip side, how important it is to make the effort to interact with others in a world where things have become less personal with our technology. Stranger Lady's words would be out of my comfort zone, but a smile or exchanging a few words with someone is something I *can* do and you never know how much small gestures might mean in someone's day.

[Glenda Hoagland]

I was just thinking that I had not read your post in a while and decided to visit. What a lovely and timely post. Thank you for sharing.

[Diana Trout]

Wow, powerful reaction! I’m so grateful that this happened and that I thought to share it. I was way out of my comfort zone. Way. I’m a pretty shy person in terms of physical boundaries. I freaked a little when she took my hand. But she was so gentle and so reverent and sincere. I learned a lot from that encounter. About prayer and what it means to me personally. And that prayer transcends religion. Thanks for your very thoughtful comment.

[Diana Trout]

Thanks for stopping by Glenda. I think we are all getting used to the quick bytes of FB, twitter Instagram! I’ve been thinking about this encounter again and again and am still in awe of the transformative power and beauty in that moment. Have a lovely weekend!

[lyle baxter]

makes you wonder what its all about, doesn't it!!! we have recently moved to central florida and have been pleasantly surprised at greetings and sometimes help with local info etc. people greet you for no obvious reason! for a philly girl that's a surprise!

[stephanie]

A good reminder to "stop and smell the flowers" and to be open

[Diana Trout]

Yes! It was like a light switch went off in my head when I said “yes.” I’m thinking “yes” is a good answer right now.