This I Believe

I believe in holding the door open for the people. Coming in, going out, whichever.

I do it to remind myself to slow down.  I do it to hear thank you and say you’re welcome.  I do it because people around me are always rushing.  I do it because I am anonymous.  I do it for karma.  I do it because life is big and the world is small.  I do it because I feel guilty.  I do it so that people don’t think I am sexist or racist.  I do it so that I don’t appear thoughtless.  I do it because other people don’t.  I do it for eye contact, for a smile.  I do it to surprise people.  I do it when people are an awkward distance away and my hands aren’t full.  I do it to start conversations.  I do it to be a better person or at least feel self-important.  I do because someone did it for me. 

I believe in holding the door open for the people.

I do it because people will come up with a reason that satisfies them.  They think it is because they are well dressed.  They believe they are pretty.  They think I am just going out of my way.  They believe something good about people.  Or maybe they care at all.  Don’t say thank you.  But maybe they will hold the door for someone next time.

I believe in holding the door open for people because it is easy to believe in.  There is no dogma to door holding.  It doesn’t involve politics.  It doesn’t hurt anyone.  No one is trying to shut the door that I am holding open. 

In truth, I don’t do it for any explicit reason, but with so many possible reasons, I find it hard to not hold the door open for people.  I have a positive effect by waiting a shorter amount of time than I do at a red light.