A few weeks ago, I was in a rut - I am always in and out of ruts - so a friend sent me the above TED talk. It is only 3 minutes and 27 seconds so I watched it in between classes and decided that day to implement Cutts’ advice. I was feeling jaded and disenchanted with some people I had encountered, so my “something new” was to talk to more strangers (clearly disobeying a fundamental rule my parents established since I was like 5).

Fast forward a few hours, I was sitting outside the SAC on campus and Sagar, who I did not know at the time, asked to sit at my table because it was the only one in the sunshine. We started talking and I learned he is from Nepal and is here to study geological sciences in grad school. Our conversation eventually wound its way to talking about global health…making tangible change…the importance of sustainability…health equity…life in Nepal…

Later, he sent me this INCREDIBLE video: 

Maggie Doyne — Why the human family can do better from The Do Lectures on Vimeo.

Needless to say, it is inspiring to learn new perspectives from someone who might have otherwise been just another passing face. 

Since then, I don’t know if I met a new person everyday for 30 days, but because it was always on my mind, I have more actively put myself out there to meet new people. Many of them are new friends now, and if not, at least I got some interesting conversation. 

This challenge is helping me engage in conversation, relate to others, learn from everyone I talk to, and above all how to be a better member of the human family.