Q: Last week while riding on a train I saw an elderly man drop his cane and then he could not pick it up. An elderly woman across the aisle immediately came to his aid. Afterward, they struck up an animated conversation that continued for the balance of the trip. Had the cane incident not happened they would have never met. Why is it that so many of us choose not to get involved with others?

A: Although many of us are lonely, we are afraid and hesitant to express our feelings. However, when a need presents itself, the event can prove to be the catalyst, making us more involved and helpful to others. Remember 9/11?

In our neighborhood a lady we see walking her dog frequently picks up trash left behind by litterbugs. Other random acts of kindness include folks putting coins in expired parking meters, delivering soup to ill neighbors, sharing birthdays cake, passing along newspapers, carrying out a neighbor’??s trash, giving a window seat to a child, letting an impatient driver merge in front, and many more. Making just a little effort each day to share our blessings makes a big difference. Even by smiling and saying, ’??How are you’?? or by asking, ’??May I help you?’?? we all become winners!

Q: I live in a retirement community and have a kitchen window from which I can see people walk by. People-watching is something I really enjoy. Some of our neighbors walk holding hands, many talk to their dogs and others step out vigorously with heads held high. There are other interesting mannerisms.

For fun I make guesses about the lives and occupations of those passers-by. I will never know. But do you think it is possible we can make correct judgments based on what we observe?

A: Definitely. Unconsciously, as we walk, we express who we are. We reflect our attitude, daily outlook, feelings, health and lifestyle. How we make body movements ranks as an important factor by both men and women in judging attractiveness. Every person develops his or her own gait or swagger.

You automatically choose your walking style and it changes daily. Sometimes you feel great and walk with enthusiasm. Other days you can be listless or deep in thought. Many carry on conversations with themselves, others listen to their IPods, whistle, or kick debris along the way. Watching the way other people walk can give us valuable insights into their mood and personalities.

What’??s more, something as simple as walking can be a valuable use of our time. While we walk we have to time ponder our futures. What was the right decision yesterday might not be appropriate for today. Time changes affairs and circumstances in matters both important and small. Regular walks give us time to ponder the meanings of those changes.

B.C. — before computers, that is — time moved more slowly. Today, however, information moves in split seconds. We have less and less time to make decisions. Regular walks provide excellent opportunities to meditate and bring our priorities into focus.

Check out your own walking habits. You might discover that your gait has a lot to say about your personality!

To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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