It was 9 o'clock on a Saturday morning.
I had no particular place to be.
Some online work to take care of, but then the day was mine.
To do with as I pleased.
A "Me" day.
They don't happen very often.
And I was almost at a loss as to what to do.
My Day-Timer was free and clear from any commitments.
And once my penciled-in "to-do's" of my daily yoga and going for a walk were done, there was nothing else on my plate.
What to do, what to do.
Hubby was up at the boat; my closest living family lives in England; and friends were busy with their own lives.
One of the unwritten "rules" I have given myself of late is to find a daily connection.
Connecting is one of the so-called secrets of living a good and healthy life, researchers say.
Much as I love my alone time, I have acquiesced to this research finding, and now strive to have at least one daily connection.
If there are more, so be it.
My usual daily routines normally provide me with ample opportunities.
Going into the brokerage office, or meeting with clients, or serving as companion caregiver to seniors, or volunteering with various senior programs.
But today, I was on my own.
Free and clear.
I wasn't searching for much connection - just enough.
Researchers say just five minutes is enough.
Where would I find that today?
Well, I had some errands to run, so why not the grocery store!
We were out of salad, fruit, bread, and other sundry items.
I headed out on a mission.
A few words with the checkout lady would be fantastic.
I used to think my parents were an embarrassment and off their rockers for striking up conversations with the checkout ladies.
Turns out they were onto something.
I had thought of going to the nearby grocery store, with one-stop shopping and even a large clothing and housewares section to peruse, but something inside me suggested I go to the discount grocery store instead, the one around the lake, a little further but oh, what a nice drive on this sunny day.
It was indeed a beautiful drive; tons of people were enjoying the waterfront beach and park, out walking the dog or just getting some fresh air.
The parking lot wasn't crowded - surprising for a Saturday.
Inside, I was easily able to find all I had come for, and more.
And it seems others had the same idea about finding connection on this day.
There were people stopped in conversation mid-aisle.
I didn't begrudge them, but excused myself around them politely.
One pair were chatting about their summer exploits - another duo was discussing some new duties at work.
All connecting, all being heard.
I too made some jokes while passing people, remarking at the crowded aisles, how we need stoplights and wider lanes.
I helped an elderly lady reach for something on the top shelf.
I was the eyes for a senior man who couldn't quite read the yogurt labels.
At the checkout, the lady recognized me from a previous career, saying "You're Sharon Posius from the news!"
I was amazed and flattered that even after all these years, 14 years to be exact, people still remember me from my news anchor days at CKVR-TV.
I thanked her for watching - and we proceeded to have a nice little chat about how her family enjoyed watching the news.
It wasn't a long conversation - but it was just a few words of connection - and I am sure she enjoyed it as well. A few positive words, a nice brief chit chat, and I thanked her very much for checking me out.
And I left the grocery store that day happier than when I went in.
It didn't take much.
Just a short time in amongst people, listing to their conversations, making some small talk of my own, and that was that.
I felt connected to society, connected to the planet, to the earth.
And I know that so very many people don't even have that, can't have that, for whatever reason.
Perhaps they are immobilized, or unable to have any connection in their lives, no matter how brief.
Perhaps they are just perceived as grumpy, and no one wants to have anything to do with them.
A claim I take as a personal challenge.
Recently while volunteering at a seniors event, we were giving out french fries and ice cream to the residents of a long term care home. I noticed one man sitting alone in a gazebo, and asked if anyone had taken him some of the treats. A worker said he was very grumpy and didn't like to talk to people, and had refused a treat. Well, I took that as a mission to get him to say a few words. And it turns out, he wasn't grumpy at all. Oh yes, he had some complaints about this and that, but in the end, he chatted about his not-so-bad kids that cared for him and a girlfriend who had recently moved to another long term care home far away, to be closer to her family. We had a nice little chit chat - and I believe he was better for it - and so was I.
It doesn't take much.
Someone once said that we all just want to be heard, hugged or helped.
And so with that in mind, as we seek to have connection for ourselves, we often help others have that connection too.