Always remember to give the "thank you" wave to other drivers who move over for you or let you in their lane.
A full-size, child doll standing at the screen door of a house out in the country caused me to do a double take as I was driving to work one day. It was my first real job out of college, and my commute was a long and winding one through the Indiana countryside with not much to keep one from zoning out.
The next day, I was surprised to see the doll there again. This time I noticed it had a hand raised in a wave. I had so many questions.
Was this doll there 24/7? Did the door get shut at night? If so, who moved the doll, and where was it during the night?
Imagine my surprise, a month or so later, to see the doll dressed for Halloween! More questions. Who was motivated to change the doll’s clothes, and why?
I began to look forward to seeing what the doll would be wearing next; it became an important part of my commute.
A complete stranger was intentionally presenting a doll for passersby to notice. Perhaps it was targeted specifically for someone in their family or community, but it benefited everyone who drove by and noticed. Such an odd thing, yet, it provided me with a little distraction and joy every day on my way to and from work.
This week, I viewed a reel that brilliantly captures the feeling of traveling along long stretches of highways with strangers. It made me nostalgic for the long “commutes” I conducted from Indiana to Florida and back for three years as part of an account manager job I had with a southern territory.
When you’re driving for 12 hours and a particular car or trucker is with you for hours, it creates a special bond that makes you feel connected to the world and just a little safer on your travels. The reel not only captures the beauty of such road travel connections, but the comments elevate it to another level. Some even made me choke up a little.
“Sometimes you were in front of me. Sometimes I was in front of you. So many memories,” wrote rhody_kari.
“Drove 5 hours north up I5 once with another car always in the general vicinity. When they took their exit, I was like ‘aw – sad,’ then they stuck their hand out their window and waved. I did the same, and all was right with the world. I still think of that occasionally when I drive and that was like 20 years ago. Lol,” shared marissalaellopez.
“And, sometimes it’s only you and another one. Like waltzing down the highway. Love it!” wrote Amaris_urbina.
The best summary perhaps was by getdeadkid, “The human connection is a beautiful thing.”
And this is what Social Seahorse Connections is all about: making human connections, including small ones like putting a little joy into someone’s drive. These kinds of connections are not to be overlooked. They are an important part of society and our individual sense of belonging.
Do you remember the admonition from an episode of Seinfeld? “Well, did you give the ‘thank you’ wave?” The “thank you” wave is no insignificant act. It’s that little connection that says, “I see you, I value you, and I appreciate you.” We all need that.
What can you do this week to connect with others on the road and make them for even just a moment feel seen, valued, and appreciated?
Golden Connection Challenge:
Make your driving experiences this month, whatever they are – long trips, work commutes, running errands – socially valuable to you and others by finding a way to connect, even if ever so briefly.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with a comment here or email me using the contact form.