A Simple Gesture?

Hello!

Indulge me this entry. I am feeling philosophical and thus taking a circuitous route to make my point (insert joke here). I find the following analogy apropos, illustrating the point better than a cathartic rant indicting an act.

I am opining about the simple person-to-person greeting. You know the tried and true good morning (or just morning for those who loathe the rising of the sun), hi, what's up, wave, nod, smile etc. It is an innocuous act that often is unremarkable. For some it is so instinctive they perform the deed with little regard for the recipient. Others, however, falter in the moment, offering an awkward gesture in return, avoiding eye contact in hopes that the moment quickly passes. And though some are more graceful than others, it is the intent not the gesture that holds the value.

My contention, however, is with the people who do not reciprocate. The snubbers. These are the people who willfully look you in the face and refuse to respond to your greeting; the self-righteous, overtly indignant persons who forgo decency, opting instead to embody arrogance and pomposity. Perhaps they deem the act trivial, perceiving it as an acknowledgement of friendship or personal acceptance. And though inane to assign such value to a simple, cordial gesture, what they don’t understand is the dichotomous nature of the moment and the inequitable swing of the pendulum when the gesture is ignored.

Consider this: As social beings human rationale is often porous, proving to be tenuous and flimsy even in the best situations. We are susceptible to our own perceptions and biases, allowing conjectured, frivolous information to act as valid, salient points when making decisions. What’s more is this information is used to fill in the blanks as we assess each other in both personal and professional interactions.  And as is the case with the greeting, where a person exposes themselves to judgment or acceptance, negative experiences arguably leave the more indelible marks on a person’s psyche. And though one may argue that this is exactly the purpose of not returning the gesture -- tallying one for the home team -- I contend the consequences of the snub could prove more costly than one may believe.

Our lives are an invisible web. Everything we do is inextricably linked. Some of us navigate our worlds oblivious to the role, needs, and feelings of others; failing to understand how the strength of our web is predicated on the wisdom of our choices. Truth is you never know the impact someone may have on your future. Reaping what you sow, burning your bridge, or whatever pithy counsel you choose to file this under is up to you. One thing is for sure, you may not understand why your web cannot carry your weight, but history tells us the fault most often lies in the architect not the material.

The calamity of a single loosened screw has no limits to its potential.  

S. McGill

One of the most powerful things in the world can be obtained and used liberally by anyone who chooses to use it.  "If" can be the beginning of something great or the acquiescence to defeat. How will you use your "if"?