Has
a smile or friendly greeting ever changed your life?
I’m
willing to bet some casual expression of kindness has, even if
nothing memorable springs to mind.
A
text from a friend… a “good morning” from someone while out running
errands… a wave from a neighbor while you’re in the yard. Something
small. Just a gesture that meant something to you.
I
admit that life every so often twists me into knots where I feel
better not speaking or interacting with anyone. Moments where
I just want to spend some time on my own. But that’s not always
the case.
In
general, I try to stay upbeat about things… I try to make eye
contact with people and say hello, and even do small things like
holding open a door for someone I otherwise had never met.
For
most of my life I did these things just because. And by that,
I mean not for any particular reason I could think of or support.
I just did them. Seemed like pleasantries and courtesies were
more appropriate that indifferent silence and ignoring others.
Over
time however, thinking of a few of these moments has me feeling
a bit differently about them.
A
part of it is simply that it is a sign of respect and an offering
of recognition. Without dipping my toes too deeply into this pool,
it’s a way of extending my best to another, showing an appreciation
that I understand they are in some way a part of my world while
trying to make that world a slightly better place.
A
larger part though is that I am finding such exchanges can truly
be life altering, in ways both small and large.
Several
times, I have encountered references to studies about smiling
while talking on the phone. The inference is that the physical
action on your part does influence your voice. Succinctly put,
a person can hear you smile. And I think this thought extends
into a much larger concept…
I
believe that even the smallest of efforts from any of us can trigger
ripples in the water. And even though we might not actually see
something happening, that doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
Let’s
try an experiment…
Smile…
just a little bit more.
Say
hello… connect with one or two or five people every day you might
normally have just walked past without a word.
Put
a penny or two from your change into the little holder next to
the register… and don’t keep track of it in your head.
In
short… try to put some good will into the community.
I’m
not asking you to go overboard. This isn’t some pom-poms in the
air pep squad moment. There is no plea for paying it forward.
(Although, cheers for giving a little extra, supporting the good
in people, and sharing with others when you can.)
What
I am looking for is a bit of an adjustment in your perspective…
the way you view things… the approach you offer to the little
things.
There’s
a very good chance you will never fully realize how much your
words and deeds can mean to another person. Still… after a few
days, I’d be surprised if you don’t feel a bit better, dare I
say even happier, just for the attempt.