Almost eight years ago, Nixon decided to begin each day from a bench with a spectacular 1of the St. Petersburg, Florida, waterfront.
"I call it life rising' 2 watching a sunrise makes me feel centered before starting my day," said Nixon, who works for the city's water department.
A year 3 a woman stopped to say hello, and she said something that 4 his viewpoint on his daily routine." She said, "You know, every morning when I see you 5 here I know that everything is going to be OK," Nixon recalled. "That's when I knew: I needed to pay attention to the people walking past. I needed to make eye contact and let people know that we mattered to each other."
Instead of 6 straight ahead at the waterfront, Nixon stared smiling at people and striking up 7. And pretty soon, more than a few early risers began joining him on the 8, sometimes unburdening themselves, asking him for 9 about relationships, careers, and personal problems.
"Nixon is this calm，constant presence," said Jeff Franzen，64, who 10 Nixon while taking a walk along the waterfront a few years ago. "His unique gift is that he listens to everyone.''
It's 11 that, said Dee Glowa, who is in her late 50s. She met Nixon while out strolling three years ago. "He listens without judgment and 12 any kind of return expected."
I was 13 to listen, Nixon. 59. said. "I wanted them to 14 knowing they didn't have to feel alone. When you're in your 50s and 60s or15, a lot of people feel their purpose hasn't been fulfilled. At this stage in life, this is definitely my 16."
So, every morning, weather17, Nixon rises at 4:30. He puts on a fedora, 18 a cup of coffee, and then drives seven miles to the waterfront, 19he'll stay for two hours. His 20 and his openness to listen have led some lo nickname him the Sunshine Mayor.
