One definition of suspicious behavior is “causing one to have the idea or impression that something or someone is of questionable, dishonest, or dangerous character or condition.”
Fear is pure separation while love is pure unity. One of the consequences of a dualistic consciousness and thought process is pure and simple, fear. But our fear is not just in our mind. It’s in our body and affects our immune system as does our other thought processes. The mind and body are not separate but blended.
It is important to understand that fear is normal. It may increase our “juices flowing” from the adrenals; but on the other hand, it may freeze us in non-action or to embrace a state of compliance. This fear-based behavior of “falling in line” may be used to control an individual or a group or even a population of people.
An important aspect of life and love is to never let fear inhibit your actions going forward.
Furthermore, another insidious effect of needing to feel safe and secure within a fear-based consciousness is a lack of happiness.
Enter Mr. Happy Man, 90+ year-old Bermudian, Johnny Barnes who close to thirty years has devoted many hours a day to greeting commuters at Crow Lane Circle in the capital city of Hamilton. “He starts cheering and wishing the commuters – “Good Morning!”, “I love you!”, “God bless you” … This is the way he continues to spread joy and goodwill to all till 10 in the morning every day. To the commuters, a day’s hard work begins with an exchange of love and blessings – the day may not turn out to be as stressful after all.”[i]
Johnny’s spirit and love leads us back to my title: Suspicious Behavior on the Streets of New York.
Early in October after 9/11 Sherry and I were presenting at a conference in Lower Manhattan. I enjoy the blissful feeling of early morning, especially with a perfect, for my tastes, cup of coffee. Even though I could feel the heaviness within the air and people’s fear and anxiety “waiting for the other shoe to drop,” I decided to spread some joy and love to people. My method with coffee in hand was to stand on the nearest street corner to our hotel, and like Johnny, look people in the eyes, smile and say, “good morning.”
Well, it was like I had the plague. No eye contact; but how could they with their down-casted eyes. No response from anyone. I did notice people crossing against traffic to get to the other side of the street to get away from the “crazy man” who was definitely demonstrating suspicious behavior. But isn’t that “jaywalking?” I guess it is better to get a ticket for an illegal act than encounter the “crazy, uncivilized” man.
A few more minutes passed and then… I felt him before I saw him. As I turned to face the other street corner, there he was walking in my direction. Johnny Law, with his hand near his gun, he hesitated then cautiously approached me. With a non-smiling stern face, he said, “We have had reports of a person acting suspiciously—you! People are scared.” “Yes,” I replied. “I was just smiling and saying ‘good morning to people as they passed me.” Still no smile, he replied, “under normal circumstances that’s suspicious behavior here in New York. More so now with 9/11.” He continued, “I can’t legally tell you to move and stop saying…” Before he could continue, I said, “Not a problem, I’ll leave. I was only attempting to help people not scare them…”
As has been said, “The best-laid plans of mice and men / Go oft awry.”