people

    You may have seen me sitting on a chair at the edge of the sidewalk with signs that say: SMILE IF HAPPY. FROWN IF NOT.
    As people approach from my left, or my right, I watch their faces for a reaction to the signs.
    Some are in a world of their own and are focused like tunnel vision looking to the direction they are heading as if I do not exist, nor the signs exist. And there is no expression on their faces. Some are young women who it would seem are not prepared to cope with distractions, and may have been instructed to ignore strangers.
    And from time to time I see a real frown manifest on faces. Obviously their state of mind at that time. Also too there are hardly any change after seeing the signs, and I sometimes conclude that is their frown. Such people if I can approach, I can help with my Gifts of Spirit including prayer. But you know NOT all people want help.
    Still others can be men of middle age or older and from their dress may have a different ethic origin. And thus can be from another culture and do not know how to react to such people as self or such signs. Some such people I am impressed to draw into conversation, and many appreciate a friendly person and conversation. However women of another culture tend to shy away.
    Some are troubled souls. They are obviously in pain and do not need any distractions or delays in getting to their destinations.
    On the other hand there are the smilers.
    Some are happy and smiling long before they obviously see the signs. Some smile as very slight but smiles, and some are huge smiles.
    And some break into a smile as soon as they see the signs. And those I offer a reward for their smile, a FREE HUG COUPON.
    Many, men, women, young people, old people... accept the coupons. And some I tell that on their birthday that card entitles them to a hug for every year of their life. The result is positive.
    And then there are those that smile, and decline the FREE HUG COUPONS. Some I suspect that the coupons is a means to some kind of con game. And maybe at one time a hug went out of control. (I advise young men that women appreciate a gentleman, and not to force a hug.) The coupons are freely given, one per person normally, and I do NOT ask for money.
    However I do engage in conversation if the other person is so inclined.
    You see there are the extroverts that are naturally very friendly and will converse when properly approached. I have had interesting conversations with many as a result.
    At times I wear on my shirt a badge that says: PASTOR WILLIAM. And if a person asks about that, I will answer them and give them a pamphlet titled: "You Are Not Alone". And tell them it will pastor-ize them. A bit of humour. The pamphlet has my photo on it and a message about my Gifts of Spirit. It is free, and I ask that they take it and read it at home.
    And at times a person has need of spiritual healing. And often right then and there I pray for them and they feel the power of the prayer.
    When couples are present, I might suggest that they try the FREE HUG COUPON on their boyfriend, or girlfriend. Often they will correct me and tell me that they are married to the other person. And they often will share the secrets of their long marriage especially with the older couples.
    At times I will ask the man if he has a sense of humour? And if he does I will reach out my hand to his lady friend, and draw her away physically. And I then tell him how easy it is to steal her away with a smile on my face. First there is shock, and then laughter. Good fun. I can get away with such things because of my age of 79 and my grin and hat and humour.
    And one of the things that helps the conversation is the straw hat that I wear with the coloured ostridge feathers attached, and a few of the Rhea feathers. Every day when walking usually over a dozen people tell me that they like my hat.
    One teenager recently asked if he could take a photo of my hat and I said yes. He stool at my left while two of his buddies took a photo. I looked at the photo in the camera and suggested that they get one of the hat, and not full figure. They did, and it was great. And from time to time very small children smile and admire the feathered hat, as do women driving by in their cars, etc. The hat helps bring out the smiles in people.
    The other day a troubled man I had met previously approached me and shook my hand and told me of recent positive things happening in his life. I had prayed for him a number of times with positive results. I reached into my wallet and gave him a five dollar bill with the advice not to buy cigarettes, alcohol, nor drugs. He thanked me and said he would not.
    I do not hand out money to pan handlers as a rule. And agressive pan handlers I do not like at all. And when a woman is pan handling I surmise that she is doing so because of a real need. Usually this is true.
    But I have been experimenting with leaving pennies on a ledge in the hallway of an apartment building where I live. Some times those pennies remain day after day, and then at times every day their disappear when I replenish them.
    Some people will pick up a penny off the sidewalk, or wherever found thinking of it as a lucky penny. Some will not touch money left anywhere, and others likely think "Finders keepers, losers weapers." Whatever.
    One day a roll of coins fell to the sidewalk through a hold in my pocket. I turned around and two young teenage girls had picked it up and scooted quickly in the opposite direction. Some people are honest, some are not. Have you noticed?
    And people are different.
    Are you a people watcher too?
    Peace, love, light, healing, hugs and prosperity to you and your loved ones.