Cruise Friends

Photo by Alonso Reyes on Unsplash

I just spent 6 days at sea with a boat full of strangers and we had some great times (although if I never have to eat at a buffet again, I won’t complain). We sang at the piano bar with them, sailed on a catamaran, snorkeled, and shared stories by the infinity pool. I am grateful for every laugh shared and the good memories, but I also know I will most likely never see any of them again. When I was younger, I used to desperately try to hold onto friendships like these; I would try to extend them to make them last longer. But the older I get the more I appreciate the fact that some friendship is only shared for a day, or an excursion, or even just a drink at the bar.

The night we ate at the steakhouse, the obnoxiously close table next to us became part of the delight of the meal as we exchanged fun pleasantries with the couple next to us. We never saw them again after that, but it was a moment when two sets of strangers made each other's nights better just because we could.

It made me appreciate the impact I can have on someone else's joy. I often try to exist in a state that doesn't take away from someone else's day, but I don't often think about what I can do to add to it. What if I'm the one that makes the meeting, or event, or whatever better? What if I walk into this room and try to make everyone smile? Did you know that research shows that when you smile more the people around you smile more and when we all smile, we reap many benefits (too many to write about in this short post, but check out the article, it’s fascinating).

So, here’s to the cruise friends, the fleeting friendships that remind us how meaningful even the smallest connections can be. Whether it’s a cruise, a conference, or a coffee shop, we’re constantly crossing paths with people who might need a little light and maybe that light is us. As you get started with your week this Sunday Morning, try to think less about longevity of your interactions and more about presence; showing up with kindness, curiosity, and the intention to leave people better than you found them - even if it’s just for a moment.