Each separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity.

Tao Te Ching - Verse 16
(Translated by Stephen Mitchell)
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I’ve been pushing myself to meet at least one new person every day. Sometimes I tell myself I’m gonna introduce myself to someone and then when the time comes I create an excuse like, “She’s too X” or, “He’s probably Y” or, “I don’t know what to say.” It’s when the opportunity slips past that I feel stupid, though.

What is the worst that could happen?

They scream, “GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FREAK!”

Doubt it (if you’re approaching with at least some semblance of normalcy, that is). The worst is probably a quick brush off, like, “I’m really busy right now” or, “I’m meeting my [friend/colleague/spouse]” or, “Mommy told me never to talk to strangers.”

The approach I’ve been using lately is as simple as can be: a smile plus, “Mind if I introduce myself?” I’m yet to get a hard ‘No,’ but even if I do, I probably didn’t want to meet that person anyway. So far everyone has been warmly receptive and one gal even told me, “It’s nice to meet someone like this. Most people are always wrapped up in their phones.”

Introduced myself to a young lady sitting by herself this morning and she mentioned coming for the sunrise with her boyfriend, but said he was off wandering around.

“Is he the jealous type?” I asked. “Should I leave?”

“He’ll probably wanna shoot you,” she said with a smile, pointing behind me.

I was relieved to turn and see a guy walking around with a camera.

They turned out to be great, we had all sorts in common. We talked about religion, meditation, psychedelics, float tanks, ice baths, acupuncture, breathing techniques, and all sorts of stuff.

One thing she said that felt relatable to the quote above was, “You can recognize who has seen God.”

Encountering other souls from the common source comes with an air of serenity, but sometimes you can miss them if you never stop to say hello. I almost didn’t introduce myself. I almost made an excuse not to. But instead a handshake sparked a solid conversation and a good reminder that wonderful people are out there waiting to meet you as well.