This bowl of dum dums sits on the counter in front of my desk.
I originally placed it there to provide a little treat to the people who visit my department.
It’s become a lot more than that.
If you look behind the bowl, you’ll notice the glass windows that provide me with a view of everyone who walks past my office.
Not only can I see out, but people can see in, and when they notice the bowl of dum dums, they often drop in just to grab one.
Sometimes they ask if they can have one, and then they leave.
Sometimes, a small conversation ensues. I’ve gotten to know the Fed Ex guy, the UPS guy (we get a lot of mail), maintenance workers, and the children of other employees who work on my floor.
There’s a classroom within view of my office, and students have to pass by to leave the building.
A couple of weeks ago, one gal came in, asked if she could have a dum dum, and, to be polite, started chatting with me.
The Holy Spirit has been speaking to my heart about making other people the center of my focus during social interactions, so with those lessons in mind, I started asking this young lady thought-provoking questions – questions that went beyond yes or no answers.
A friendship started that day, and now, when she leaves her twice-weekly class, she stops by to say hi.
And to grab a dum dum.
I was in the back of our suite yesterday grabbing a snack from the kitchen. When I got back to my desk, she was waiting for me.
Be still my mama heart.
My introverted, awkward, old self was touched by her thoughtfulness.
She’s not the only student who has come by. Earlier this week, a young man came in after spying my bowl and asked, point blank, “So, what do you do here?”
I had to laugh and quipped back, “According to my work bestie, not a lot.”
Of course, I was joking, and my bestie laughed uproariously from her little cubby.
This was the perfect opening to start a longer conversation with this young man.
I learned that he grew up a hop, skip, and a jump from where I lived back in Florida. We had a few other things in common.
A connection was forged.
I invited him to stop by again. I sincerely hope he does.
I am thankful for these opportunities to be a friendly face to these students – especially the ones who are living away from home for the first time – unsure of the path they’re going to take with their studies and future careers.
So, I’ll gladly keep filling that bowl with the hope that it serves as a welcoming beacon to anyone walking by.
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AuburnChick's Adventures 