This year I became friends with the most unlikely friend: Dot.

People had warned me that Dot was cranky and difficult. I was curious and decided I was going to meet Dot. One day I went up to Dot and introduced myself.  And yes, Dot was cranky, and angry, and short with me. Dot asked me why I cared. I asked if Dot could help me with a little project I was working on.  Dot said yes.

As Dot and I worked on this project, I learned more from Dot in just a few months than I’d learned from anyone else in a long time.  Dot was smart and Dot wanted to help. I listened to Dot’s point of view. I told Dot my point of view. I learned from Dot.  Every week Dot became more excited about the project we were working on.

I asked people, “Do you know Dot?”
They said, “Dot’s a jerk.”
I told them they didn’t know Dot then. Maybe they should get to know Dot.

One day Dot laughed. It was the first time I’d seen Dot laugh.

One day Dot said, “I feel inspired. I stand up a little taller now.” I left quickly so that Dot could not see my tears.

Dot just wanted to be seen, heard and appreciated.

Bill Hybels said in his book Just Walk Across the Room:

What if you knew that by simply crossing the room and saying hello to someone, you could change that person’s forever?

What if that walk could change your forever too?

Maybe you know a Dot.

See Dot. Hear Dot. Learn about Dot. Appreciate Dot.

Take a genuine interest.