We live in such an antisocial society, where people connect more on social media than in person with their friends and families, that it seems easy to make friends via one of these networks. Like this, tweet that, comment on this, follow that. Seems like you're making friends with hundreds or thousands of people. 
 
Yes, I thought so, too. Until I recently discovered something about myself that I didn’t particularly like. It was kind of a surprise to me because I consider myself to be a pretty nice person to others. Willing to meet and speak with strangers over social media outlets. What I found out is that not only was I unfriendly to strangers in person, I was also becoming unfriendly toward others in general. And I found out that I didn’t really like that in me, not one bit. So my thought was, How am I going to change this perceived aloofness that lives within me?
 
I mulled that over thought for a couple of days then decided I needed to take a few small steps. My first step was to smile and address someone. I had noticed that when I rode in the elevator at work with others, we all rode in silence. Unless it was someone from my office, I offered no greeting or conversation and received nothing in return. Since these ideas came to me on a weeknight evening, I resolved to start employing my first step that very next morning.
 
Stepping upon the elevator was a young woman who I had seen several times before. Her face and attention was always planted on her cell phone reading and scrolling. I didn’t let this deter me from my newfound resolution to better myself. I smiled brightly and said, “Hello!” She looked up from her cell phone, smiled and returned my greeting. Her eyes were immediately drawn back to her phone. Hmm, she’s addicted, I said to myself. Well, at least I took the first step. The elevator doors opened and I departed.
 
That evening, as I shopped in the grocery store, I decided to continue to take my steps toward humanizing myself at the checkout. Some cashiers are friendly and chatty, others are not. I was curious to see which one I would meet at the register. Of course she was only focused on her job, and not looking to interact with the customers. The Universe is really testing me, I thought, as I offered her a bright smile and greeting. I asked her how her evening was going, and I was surprised at how quickly she lit up in response.  We had a nice little quick chit chat and I left the store feeling better.
 
Here it is months later and I still continue to remind myself to reach out to others with a smile. I have gained a lot from these simple offerings. A few are shared jokes and laughter in the elevator at work, cashiers who now recognize me and speak to me like an old friend, neighbors who smile and wave when they see me passing. I feel the change within and see the changes happening, and find it easier to speak to people in general. I’m more willing to have a positive thought about a stranger now, than the negative ones I held before. I realized a smile costs nothing to give and a nice greeting can help to better someone’s day, including my own.
 
Give it a try. Like me, you might find you feel better for it.