Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

As you may have noticed from my posts, I love sharing my story, my perspectives, knowledge, and my experiences with others. There is no exception to this in real life. When someone comes over to our home, and they compliment us on the garden? I have story to share!

This week we had an inspection tech for our solar panels at our house for an inspection. We had an inspection scheduled with the county and the fire inspector too.

This young man sat in our driveway from 7:30 AM till 3.00 PM! I had already asked him if he wanted something to drink or if he wanted to come inside instead, he said he would rather stay outside. So he stayed outside while I was working my garden.

This young man took interest in my garden as I was watering some of my plants. He came up to me and said:”This is quite the garden you have! I wish I could grow tomatoes like you and what are these peppers?” That was all he needed to say to get a tour of my garden.

After me showing him around my garden, I was sharing information about companion planting and why I have a mix of plants in each bed. I explained different watering methods as we were walking by the hot pepper beds. I had some Datil peppers that were ready, and so I asked this gentleman:”Do you enjoy hot peppers?” He responded with his eyes lit up:”Well yes ma’am I do!” So I went back into my garden and gave him a few Datil peppers, a Lombok pepper and a Fish pepper. And I told him: “Add these to your dishes, and save the seeds, plant them in August for a fall crop and you can overwinter them to have a head-start for a spring crop.” The look I received was priceless.

You see, by him showing interest in my garden and appreciating all the work that went into getting it to be this way, he provided me with a huge compliment. To be able to give someone a tour, share knowledge, and then generate interest for others to want to do the same is, to me, the best thing that could ever happen. If that means I share my peppers because you like them, and so you can grow them, then I am excited to do so! I suppose part of it is my selfish urge to want to do stuff for others as a giver and helper, and maybe a little because I just care about the wellbeing of those around me, regardless of whether I just met you or if we go back a lifetime. It is who I am.

I made this man’s day a little lighter and more interesting than what he expected and I got a compliment and a thank you in return.

As I am hitting my mid-life stage of my journey here on earth, my focus has shifted from providing for me and my family to sharing knowledge and taking care of those around me during tough economic times and during an era that puts a social, physical, and mental strain on people. I cannot solve the problems in the world. By doing what I can, to strive to be the best person that I can be, I hope to share a message of kindness and bring people together.

This society has gone from caring and sharing to wanting to win and be right all the time, every time, and it does not work. Life is not about winning, it it about coexisting in a society as a social being with intent to do good, and be the best person you can be. As social beings we all need to come together to learn from each other, to influence and to impact other peoples’ lives in a positive manner.