the power of a smile

Josh, smiling...doesn't it just make you happy?

If you read my blog, you know I work out everyday
at a gym with mostly old(er) people.


Most of them are kind and happy and make me smile.


There is one lady though that really scares  me.


She is a "tough customer."


I've seen her everyday now since January and she is
always intent on what she is doing, with a very 
serious look on her face.  Never a smile.


And that's fine.  It is a serious job we're doing
there.  And it involves lots of sweating and
concentration.


However, MOST of the other people I've "met" over
the past 9 months smile at me every morning.


I try and smile back.  Morning and exercise are
possibly not my best combination, but I do try.


Well, the other day I was "running late" (which means
a few past my 8:30 on the dot arrival).  If I don't
make it then, someone steals my elliptical and it 
makes me grumpy.  It's mine--don't they realize that?


Anyway, this lady who I usually see racing around the
track was actually passing me on the stairs.


I was starting my day, headed up the stairs.  


She was finished, and heading down.


I looked up at her and smiled a hello.


And miracle of all miracles, SHE SMILED BACK.


The smile changed her whole face.


She wasn't scary anymore.  In fact, she looked quite
nice.  Like someone I would want to get to know.


The power of a smile is amazing.


It can break the ice, melt a heart, change the world.


And now, every day since then, we both pass each 
other and smile.


It's powerful.


Take a minute and smile at someone this week you may
not normally smile at, it will make their day.


It may even make YOUR day too.