Change your life path, say hello

I miss a few everyday things about travelling.
The simplicity of life is first. All of the peripherals are missing such as cleaning, groceries and tax. You just need to sort out food, shelter and entertainment.

Having time to myself is another, such as eating alone at a restaurant, pondering and just watching the world go by.

But most of all I miss the random connections. This is something I've tried to maintain since returning to Australia. When you're travelling you are naturally more receptive to meeting new people, even though you're much more susceptible to being taken advantage of. Unlike at home, you may not know the language or customs, you probably have all of your belongings with you and it will take longer for people to know your missing. You're actually pretty vulnerable. But there is a sense of community among travellers that goes missing when your a local. On the road the stranger sitting next to you is just a friend you haven't met yet.

I recently visited a friend who I had met once overseas. I didn't question whether is was a safe idea until my friends started asking questions. Of course I had a fantastic time but I couldn't help but wonder why they thought visiting a friend here in Australia was unsafe when I would go random places with random people I just met in while thousands of kilometres away in a strange country. Peoples perspective of dangerous is altered when in their comfort zone of their home town.

I find my tolerance to "dangerous" situations now im back at home has increased. I will often walk home alone at night without a second thought, in fact I prefer it than getting a taxi.
When was the last time you wandered around the still, dark streets of your city alone and just appreciated the beauty of it?
When was the last time you struck up a conversation with a complete stranger in the street or sitting next to you at the cafe?

Alain de Botton says the main cause for major changes in a persons life is not by talking to the same usual group of people but usually through one off encounters that alter your perspective, or bringing new people from new groups into your life. On retrospect I'd say that was accurate with all my major life transitions.
A one off mentoring session changed me from engineering to business. A chance networking encounter made me want to go to Nepal. People in Nepal from the other side of the world convinced me to start doing marathons and reminded me that there are wonderful, genuine people in the world. Numerous one off encounters with strangers in India and Nepal changed my entire view on life and whats important.

So next time you find yourself waiting for a friend at a cafe or in line at the supermarket, ask the person next to you how their day is going, or ask an acquaintance to tell you their life story (even regular people have amazing stories and I have never been denied when I've asked.)
If you do, it might just change your life.