Smile And Touch The People

Ours has become a crazy, cruel world. Selfish narcissism seems to be the norm. Kindness and generosity are rare treasures. Or are they?

We read about all the bad things and hear about them on the news. If we based our opinion of people and the entire world on the news we might have a pretty bleak pessimistic view of things.

Turn Off Media Sources

However, stop for a moment and shut off all media sources. Now, take some time to analyze your immediate circle of people. How many that you know are nasty and evil to the core? I’d be willing to bet there aren’t many if any.

We seem to get wrapped up in the negative view the media portrays. We’ve forgotten how to truly connect with others. So stuck in our own troubles in our own heads we fail to acknowledge the humanity of those whom we may encounter.

The truth is that we are all struggling with something. Not everyone shows it to the world. The happiest person you know could be on antidepressants. Who would know?

Distracted People

Shopping is a real chore lately. I have found other shoppers to be much more impatient and rude than I remember. At first, I thought it was just me, but others have verified feeling the same way. What happened?

Our world changed. People have more daily worries and troubles. We are preoccupied with our own lives, without considering others are just as distracted as we are. Frustrations have us more on edge and less forgiving of others.

I don’t like being a part of that world. How I long for the days when people, in general, were more considerate of others around them! But then, as I step back and really take a look I realize that I’m just as guilty. I’m not as understanding as I should be when someone else grabs the parking spot I had my eye on.

When I go shopping, I’m one of those preoccupied people I was just mentioning. I used to enjoy shopping. It was relaxing even to go grocery shopping. Now, with my health issues, pain distracts me. It’s important for me to get in and out quickly.

I Am Just As Guilty

How easy it is for me to fall into a state of self-pity as I see all those who can walk without pain rushing past me. The audible sigh of impatience I hear as they zoom by with their cart stabs me in the heart. I wish at that moment for understanding and compassion.

Often I’m so stuck in my own pain that I forget to see them as human too. I’m in a rush to be done with the pain. The woman who just sped past me has fifteen minutes to grab a couple items before she picks her son up from school. the woman who accidentally slammed my cart just lost her husband in a car accident. Of course, I am blissfully unaware of their troubles. I’m too wrapped up in my own.

I’ve made it my personal goal to change my own behaviors. I try to walk with my head up and greet others with a welcoming smile. Some return the smile. Others give me a blank look or barely acknowledge me. But, I feel more peace in my soul for having tried.

Share Your Smile

If more people set out to try to bring peace and love to others, we could make the world a happier place. Make an effort to start your day with a smile, and to share that smile with at least five people. How long before people expect the smile and are ready with one of their own to share with you?

We can change the world individually, one smile at a time.