Sometimes all you need to do is say HELLO.

How many people did you pass today without saying Hello to? Like me, probably far too many.

You want the world to be a better place? Start saying Hello more.

You’ll be surprised what it could turn into.

A few weeks ago I was standing in line to buy a sub - standing behind I guy I recognized from my gym. I said nothing. Didn’t really feel like having small talk with this dude who was obviously a mindless muscle-head.

But he turns around, smiles, says Hello, offers me a super friendly handshake, introduces himself - and we end up having a wonderful 5 minute conversation.

Turns out my new friend Michael is not anything like what I had envisioned - and it was really me who turned out to be the small-minded loser.

For the rest of the day I couldn’t stop thinking how about Michael and how I let myself fall into the terrible trap of judging. I was, and still am, ashamed of myself for doing that.

I guess we all need little lessons along the way to remind us how easy it is to fall into these negative traps - so for that I am thankful.

Had I just been open to the possibility of things - and willing to let things unfold before me, I would have been the one to offer the Hello. But I wasn’t. I needed to be reminded. And it has stuck with me hard!

And for that, I don’t think I will forever forget the time Michael said Hello to me.