I was sitting at a Suns game with a bored, stony expression as the season slipped away. Guess I won't be wearing orange again 'til October. No playoffs likely. As I glanced forward a nice-looking 20-something man hawking lemonade climbed the stadium stairs approaching our aisle seats. As my eyes were drawn to glance at him, away from the debacle on the hardwood, he caught and held my gaze, and blasted me with a huge smile.
In an instant my face was mirroring his. My husband had also been looking ahead and had watched the man approach, offer me a lingering smile, and pass. He turned to me and kidded, "He really must have liked you."
I said, "I think he just likes to smile." As I sat with that stupid grin on my face it made me wonder why anyone offers an unconditional smile to a grim-faced stranger. I frequently have strangers admonish me, "smile!"...because I am often so caught up in pondering my deep thoughts that I forget there are others in the vicinity. I am not angry or unhappy;,just preoccupied.
Smiling Requires Effort and Intention
I have also smiled at strangers to only have them not return it. It doesn't deter me from doing so again, but makes me sad for the person who is so distracted or unhappy they can't transform their face for a moment.
My point? Live in the moment and be aware of what your face says to those around you. The old saying is so true, smiles are infectious. Offer yours freely and often. You never know what that little offering of kindness might mean.
Are you a sourpuss or do you frequently grin like the cheshire cat? Do you think it matters? Comment below.
Diane Markins
In an instant my face was mirroring his. My husband had also been looking ahead and had watched the man approach, offer me a lingering smile, and pass. He turned to me and kidded, "He really must have liked you."
I said, "I think he just likes to smile." As I sat with that stupid grin on my face it made me wonder why anyone offers an unconditional smile to a grim-faced stranger. I frequently have strangers admonish me, "smile!"...because I am often so caught up in pondering my deep thoughts that I forget there are others in the vicinity. I am not angry or unhappy;,just preoccupied.
Smiling Requires Effort and Intention
I have also smiled at strangers to only have them not return it. It doesn't deter me from doing so again, but makes me sad for the person who is so distracted or unhappy they can't transform their face for a moment.
My point? Live in the moment and be aware of what your face says to those around you. The old saying is so true, smiles are infectious. Offer yours freely and often. You never know what that little offering of kindness might mean.
Are you a sourpuss or do you frequently grin like the cheshire cat? Do you think it matters? Comment below.
Diane Markins
