People Watching
My wife has perfected the art of people watching. She can sense things about people just by watching them that I would never in a million years figure out. Of course, she’d tell you that even if it was blatantly obvious I’d miss it…because I’m a man…and she may have a point.
Recently, in those few moments where the business of the day allows my mind to settle down and serenity to peek in, I’ve started watching people, and the watching gets me curious.
What is on the mind of that guy standing on the side of the road just staring off into the distance?
What is that mother and father thinking in the dining room of the hotel as they sit there silently staring while their young kids are running around laughing and obviously having a great time?
What is that young lady thinking while sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck in the parking lot staring at a non-descript wooden fence?
What is that guy in the car next to me thinking as he stares at the homeless man with the “please help, God bless” sign?
Unlike my wife, my mind makes things up because nothing seems obvious.
That guy on the side of the road staring off into the distance is wondering what he’s going to do now that he doesn’t have a job.
That mother and father sitting in the dining room are wondering what in the world it takes to find a moment of peace, and they also wonder if they could sneak off back to the room and let the kids wear themselves out in the lobby.
That young lady sitting on the back of the pickup truck is wondering how she got into this relationship and why the man she loves is sitting in the room watching a basketball game while she’s outside wondering why he’s not with her.
That guy in the car next to me is wondering why the guy just doesn’t go get a job.
But it could be something very different.
That guy on the side of the road staring off into the distance is wondering where that perfect place would be to ask the love of his life to marry him.
That mother and father are wondering how they will tell the kids that their grandpa has just passed away.
That young lady on the back of the truck is taking just a few moments alone in prayer as she thanks God for how blessed she really is.
That guy in the car next to me is wondering where the closest ATM is so he can get a few bucks to help out that man in need.
Each of those four had blank stares, and their faces didn’t give away anything about them.
And the more I watched, the more I wanted to know.
And the more I wanted to know, the more the scenarios played out in my mind.
I envy those who can watch people and see things that I just can’t see.
It’s certainly easier to know who needs help or who’s in pain.
It’s also easier to know who’s sincere and who’s not.
And imagine what would happen if everyone who sees offers help or asks “everything ok?”, whether they can sense something is wrong or not.
Sure seems like the world would be a better place.