The little things

*Tap, tap, tap*

Is this thing on?

Behold, my first substack post.

We find ourselves in crazy times, where some people are truly overbuying toilet paper and yet others are still unaware of how to properly wash their hands. It’s incredible to think we’re living in such a historic moment, one that will undoubtedly be included in future history books. I’m referring, of course, to the COVID-19 outbreak, which has turned the entire world inside out. Economies have been thrown into crisis mode, the government is in crisis mode, people — real human beings — have been thrown into an horrifyingly unavoidable and devastating crisis mode.

There will certainly be another post about my feelings on the above sentence. But for now, I’d like to take a moment to share with you a nice little experience I had the other day.

Before signing online and starting my work for the day, I went for a walk to grab some coffee and fresh air. I had already been social distancing for a little over a week and my 1-bedroom apartment can only offer so much room to stretch my legs and lungs.

My street, St. Mark’s Place, usually bustling with people and commotion and energy, was eerily quiet and empty. Generally, with so many people to walk by and more people passing you by, New Yorkers keep their heads down or eyes forward, avoiding eye contact or any form of human recognition. But on that morning, there was almost no one to interact with.

Except a few doors down from my building. An older man stood outside his building (presumably), holding a cup of coffee and enjoying the morning, as much as one could, I suppose. Normally, I’d look straight ahead and pass him by. But that morning, I looked at him and said, “good morning,” with a smile. I didn’t quite expect much, perhaps a head nod or a quick “morning” as I walked by. But this man looked genuinely surprised and tickled — touched? — at my greeting. His previously expressionless face broke into a smile as he replied with his own “good morning!”

I found myself smiling. “That was so nice,” I thought, as I continued to walk down the block.

Then a few more buildings over, another older man was taking his trash out.

“Good morning!” I said as I looked over, made eye contact and smiled.

Looking at me, he replied with a “good morning.”

Who knew a couple good mornings could have me feeling so nice! The pleasant human interaction, with people I wouldn’t normally have spoken to, was like a breath of fresh air, the kind that I didn’t expect to get when I went outside for a walk. I felt seen and part of a community.

I wanted to tell everyone I knew about those good mornings, to share with them the happiness I felt in my chest, the giddy feeling of an unexpected smile on my face.

So here I am, substack subscribers, sharing my bit of happiness with you, in the hopes that when you go outside tomorrow (or the following day, or next week, perhaps even in a month), you’ll give an easy “good morning” a try.