Smile

There are very few things I love more than music. Especially when said music belongs to one of the greats: Michael Bublé, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.... oh wait. I said that one already.


But today's post contains the work of another favorite: Nat King Cole. Ohhhhhhh, I just love this man. His music is, shall we say, "unforgettable." *wink wink* Today's post, however, is inspired by his song, "Smile." 


Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying.

Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

That's the time you must keep on trying.
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

I believe that a smile goes a long way. It has the power to make you and others feel happy. To me, a smile is like saying, "I am determined not to let life get me down. I will choose to be happy instead of miserable." In fact, smiling when you don't feel like smiling is usually a great way to convince your brain that you actually do feel like smiling, and that life is not as horrendous as it seems. :)


I love to smile. When you work as a receptionist, smiling is part of the job description. Every day, I attempt to make eye contact with every person who passes my desk and give them all a winning smile as they go by. (Granted, not everyone will return the smile, or even make eye contact in the first place- I work in a predominantly male, computer technology environment, so need I say more?)


I love seeing the reactions that a simple smile can bring. I've had more than one person, on more than one occasion, tell me that they love walking by my desk because of my cheerful, sunny smile. (That just warms my heart right there, folks.) There are also people who I can tell are taken aback by my attentiveness; when they glance in my direction and accidentally make eye contact with me, they seem surprised that I'm actually looking back at them and willing to give a smile just for them, and it makes me chuckle inside to know that maybe I caught them off guard and forced a smile out of them, so to speak. It gives me great satisfaction to know that I can occasionally get even the most quiet, shy, reserved employees to crack a smile as they walk by, and some of them have even started to take the initiative and smile at me first! That's a great feeling, let me tell you.


Smiling, in my opinion, is the simplest (and often most poignant) form of service. Here's a little challenge for you: smile at as many people as you can. Even if you encounter the most annoying person on the planet, and you'd much rather flip them the bird than anything else (not that I approve of that kind of thing... it's just an expression), try making eye contact with said person and purposefully give them a smile instead. A smile really does something for the soul, and it quite likely will have the effect of cheering whomever you care to grace with one of your smiles.


And the best thing about smiling? It's free. :)