The Day Three People Became Invisible

Made three people invisible yesterday. Here’s what happened.

💔 Maria at the coffee shop looked tired, her hands moving differently as she made the usual order. Those emails felt more urgent.

💔 The Uber driver mentioned it was his first week, asking how my day was going. Earbuds went in.

💔 Sarah from accounting walked to her car alone, shoulders carrying invisible weight. A wave from across the lot, then hurrying to the car, ready to beat traffic.

That night, a story about goldfish kept coming to mind.

⚠️ The Water We Can’t See

Two young fish swim past an older fish who says, “Morning, boys. How’s the water today?”

Later, one asks the other: “What’s water?”

Those young fish felt familiar. Swimming through days surrounded by community, by people who matter, somehow not seeing any of it.

Maybe you’ve felt this too—so focused on getting somewhere that the people helping you get there became invisible.

👶 What the Children Are Learning

Last week, my daughter asked why there’s never a conversation with the lady at the grocery store. “She always says hi to you, Dad. She seems nice.”

She was right. Suddenly, it became clear what was being taught without meaning to—that some people are there to serve us, not to know us.

That doesn’t have to be their normal.

✨ When Everything Changed

The next morning brought me back to that coffee shop. This time, really looking at Maria, I said, “Sorry about yesterday. How are you doing?”

Her whole face changed. “Most people don’t ask. I’m tired, honestly. Working three jobs, putting myself through nursing school. Taking care of my grandmother.”

Three jobs. Nursing school. Caring for family. And yesterday’s focus was on emails?

That’s when something beautiful became clear: Community isn’t something you have to find. It’s already there, just waiting to be noticed.

🔥 Small Steps Back to Each Other

Learn one name this week. “Thank you, Maria.” Watch faces change when people realize they’re being seen.

Ask “How’s your day?” and wait for an honest answer. Not the automatic “fine.”

Share something small. “Nervous about this presentation.” “Long week.” Walls come down.

🎓 What Happened Next

Three months later, Maria invited me to her nursing school graduation. “You were the first person in a long time who made me feel like my life mattered. That conversation gave me the strength to keep going.”

When you start seeing people, they start seeing others too. Community comes back to life.

🐠 The Water Question

Remember those goldfish? The older fish didn’t scold—he just helped them see what was already there.

Maybe that’s community: helping each other see the water we’re swimming in.

Next time someone asks about your community: “Beautiful. Finally learning to see it. It’s been here all along.”

The people? Are here. Connections are more than possible. Your community is waiting.

Are you ready to see the water?

---

🏆 Drop a 👋 if you’re going to learn one name this week

🔗 Tag someone who taught you to see others

#SeeEachOther #Community #Connection #Presence #RealTalk