Senior Reflection

For years, my favorite movie has been Monte Carlo. Even as a child, I found its premise ridiculous but endearing, and as I grew older, it cemented itself as my movie. There’s this moment, this perfect moment, near the beginning of the movie when the bus drives to the Eiffel Tower. The strings in the soundtrack’s “Feeling Eiffel” build between shots of trees, buildings, and the Tower itself. In the gift store, Meg buys a mini tower to add to her late mother’s charm bracelet, and Grace stands at the top of the Eiffel Tower, observing Paris in wonder. It is 59 seconds of peace as everything slows and the characters still–only 59 seconds in a 109-minute-long movie, but they are 59 seconds that always struck me as quiet, 59 seconds that left me feeling softer. 

It’s nice to notice quiet moments. It is especially nice to notice quiet moments when the world feels overwhelmingly loud. 

Sometimes, I feel like things can only ever be loud at Lawrenceville—when I am bogged-down, sleep-deprived, and generally unhappy. When I do badly on a test, or a paper, or get rejected for a leadership position. When I just wish everything would slow down, but also speed up—because I fear being stuck in moments like those forever.

And then someone says hi to me. 

Maybe they just smile, or nod in passing. Maybe they compliment my outfit or a point I brought up in class. Maybe it is someone I don’t know particularly well. Maybe it is someone I haven’t spoken to in a while.

It might only be a slight wave. It might be a bright smile that leads to conversation. 

Hi, they seem to say. I see you, is what I hear.

I will smile back. Maybe we’ll talk. Thank you for saying hi to me, I think, I’m glad to know you. 

And since I have always believed that what you put out in the world comes back to you, when I haven’t felt seen in a while, or when I am tired and unhappy, I make myself be kind. 

I will stop and compliment someone. I will say hi to someone without being sure they will respond. I will smile as I pass an old friend in the hallway. 

Hi, I want to say. I am glad to know you. I hope you are doing well. 

I am grateful for the quiet moments when they realize I see them too. 

In my three years of doing this, I have only ever felt better afterwards. Even if people don’t say hi back, at least I know I’ve tried. 

So, the next time you feel badly, or the next time you feel generous, or the next time you’re just walking to class, say hi to someone. Smile and make eye contact. It’s nothing crazy, but it might be just what someone else needs. It might just be what you need.

Sometimes it’s enough to just decide to be kind.