211229 What I learned in my studies this morning 2

A day late, buck short. 

How many misses this year?

No matter. Abide. 
 
Daily Stoic:

A short entry, coming in a day late. No worries. 

I heard once that, if two groups of people go on a cruise, one group in their 20s and the other in their 50s, the older group will end the trip with more new friends than the younger group. 

Why? Because they have learned, through more experience, that life is better if you are nice and approach people with friendship in mind. 

I think that's a part of what Seneca means here. By offering positive, unabashed friendliness to strangers, and not feeling the self-doubt and shyness that handcuffs the younger cohort, I am showing my gratitude. 

I know that I like life better when I am nice to people — offering an extra compliment to a server; giving a salesperson at a store a happy smile and asking how they're doing; assuming people are good and deserve my best. These make them happier and that makes me happier. We all win. 

Today's Meditation: