HAVE AN ACTUAL CONVERSATION WITH A STRANGER
This article is taken from dplife.info as part of the 14 days of love challenge: http://dplife.info/blog/view/14-days-of-love-2/?mc_cid=925eeefd03&mc_eid=44c2467324
- To put a youth group twist on this article, go to a public place together and challenge yourselves to have actual conversations with a stranger.
- The youth should feel free to start the conversation with something like, “I’m doing a challenge with my youth group,” because it can be very scarey to try this challenge.
- You may also want to prepare them with some questions to start up a conversation such as:
- What is a very unique thing about you?
- How do you want others to see you?
- What is one hope/desire/dream you have for your future?
- Regroup at the end and have people share their experiences.
- Debrief by focusing on the idea that this was an opportunity to expand our hearts and let God love people through us.
Day 3: Have a (Gasp!) Actual Conversation with a Stranger
Challenged by Cathlene Bell-Dumas
Through his work known as Humans of New York, photographer Brandon Stanton shares photos and stories of people on New York City streets with the world. He has over 16 million followers on Facebook, and for good reason. Somehow, in the span of a few minutes, he manages to dig deep into the soul of a stranger and extract universal statements with which his millions of followers resonate.
His approach essentially has shredded any excuses left in our hearts to not talk to people. In striking up simple, earnest conversations with the people with whom we live side by side, we open up a new portal of discovery, empathy and plain old human kindness. If not mind-blowing, it definitely will be refreshing. What’s your excuse not to?
Today, as you’re walking down the street, riding the train or standing in line at the store, look at the people around you as human beings instead of obstacles, unique souls from whom you can learn and part of a global family to whom you can talk.