Yesterday, while I was taking pictures at Washington Park, NYC, someone approached me and said  that I was cute and beautiful. They then asked if we could exchange social media handles.

First of all, whenever strangers, especially men, smile at me or approach me, my first instinct is to think, “He’s going to kidnap me.”

Now, after getting that out of the way, I had a moment to myself. I thanked him for the compliments, but politely declined. He was a gentleman and didn’t pressure me further. We parted ways, and it was a polite encounter.

It was an interesting encounter for me because it made me reflect on myself and the journey I’ve been on. I appreciate people giving me compliments, and while they can still boost my ego sometimes, they don’t thrill me like they used to. I don’t crave outside attention and validation for my self-worth like I used to.  They say insecurity is loud and deep confidence is silent. The more we face challenges or learn from life’s experiences, sometimes the more quiet we become. Outside attention doesn’t make me thrive. It’s the self-acceptance, self-compassion, and radical honesty towards my emotions( both high and low) and my needs, that have deepened my roots as a human being instead of an imaginary/self-constructed inflated persona. 

In this day and age, when swiping, double tapping, or direct messaging is the norm, someone had the courage to approach and ask in person. Even when rejected, they remained composed, poised, and respectful. Such are refreshing and show that kindness and hope still exist.

Some might say to me, “you are naive and overly optimistic,” concluding from only one encounter. Well, that’s me, I still choose to believe in the good in others. Perhaps, that’s what makes the world a better place. A little optimism can go a long way. And We’ll see where it takes me. There’s always something to learn from every encounter.

Best,

Tiffany ❤