We've all fallen into the trap of admiring a baby who is just grinning away. There may be something funny going on, they may be responding to our voice and according to some doctors it may just be gas; but regardless of the reason, very little time elapses before we start to feel the tingle in our cheekbones and we realize we too are smiling. Smiles are contagious!
Today I want to share a quote from one who has spent her life making others happy, Mother Teresa.
"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do."
If you have ever been the recipient of a friendly smile whether from a loved one, acquaintance or complete stranger, you know how powerful such a simple gesture can be. If you have held that power and offered a smile, you have taken part in changing gray skies to blue. Let's face it, one smile from a cute guy and any tween starts texting about it, and for all we know that could just be gas too! Whatever the driving force, Smiles are powerful.
I had an experience in the grocery store a few years back that I will never forget. I am used to getting sized up and judged as I shop with my traveling circus so when I saw an elderly woman smiling at my children with complete joy; I froze and took a mental picture. I'm sure I hadn't showered in days, at least one of my children was more than likely wearing pajamas and we may have been involved in a Code Adam looking for a lost boy, I don't remember. Maybe she was reminiscing her shower-less days or silently gloating that the joke was on me. I didn't need a reason, I just remember the face of this kind woman who took the time to look up and share a simple gesture aimed directly at me.
A new power came over me. I felt a renewed confidence and threw my greasy hair back over my shoulder, I was ready to combat anything that day threw at me. She didn't say a word, she didn't offer a hand but she shall never know the good that a simple smile did for me that day.
So, smile to make the world happier, smile to break language barriers, smile because it feels good or smile because it makes people wonder what you're up to- just Smile!
2 comments:
This blog post made me smile :) I too have often been sized-up and judged when in public with my boys. What a gift that lovely lady gave you! There is nothing better than knowing that someone else sees what you see in your children.
:)
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