Ever run into the same stranger twice in one day?I’m sharing this story to remind you to stay present, even when you’re anxious, rushing, or things aren’t going your way.

A few weeks ago, on the morning I was leaving for my Tennessee tour, my plan was simple: ship out some books, finish packing, and head to the airport. As I was getting ready, I broke a nail. Annoying, but fixable. I told myself I’d deal with it after packing.

On my way to the post office, I walked in and complimented a woman on her makeup and hair. We smiled, waved goodbye, and that was that. I headed home, finished packing, and ran to the nail salon before the airport.

The woman at the salon apologized, saying they only had two techs and couldn’t fix my nail. I was bummed because I had a flight in two hours, but as I looked up… you’ll never believe who was sitting in the pedicure chair.

THE LADY FROM THE POST OFFICE!

We locked eyes. Without hesitation, she told her nail tech, “I can wait. Please fix her nail.”

Afterward, I sat with this kind stranger, Sandi, for about 15 to 20 minutes, and we talked like old friends. We laughed about how differently the day could have gone if I had been rude or short that morning.

She told me about her best friend’s son, who has a rare sleeping disorder. Sometimes he falls asleep for days at a time, and still, he is enrolled in medical school because he wants to find the cure.

People begged him to disenroll because of the workload, the missed classes, and the pressure. But he doesn’t let his condition define him. He wears it like a superpower making up every missed hour and assignment. Listening to Sandi describe him made me rethink some of my own challenges.

We kept talking. I sang “Sandi Baby” from Grease, we talked about John Travolta, and she gasped when I admitted I’ve never seen Saturday Night Fever.
So next time we meet, we are watching it together.

Life is hard. Everyone is carrying something. Recently, in a school, a teacher shared that her family in Cuba only has three hours of electricity a day. On Halloween at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, I saw kids spending their second Halloween in the hospital. When things go wrong, it’s easy to focus on what we lack. But shifting into gratitude changes everything.

As we move through the holiday season, remember that being grateful and showing gratitude is the best gift you can give yourself and someone else. People often ask how I wrote The Girl Who Said Hello to Everyone, but the truth is, I don’t just write it. I live it. Every hello has changed my life, including this one.

And if this story reminds you of anything, let it be this, You are always just a Hello Away From New Adventures. 🌹

I love you all. Happy Holiday Season.