The easiest way I've found to influence the world for good is one of the simplest.
Smile.
Have you noticed that young children are unable to smile unless they mean it.
Their smiles go all the way up and shine out their eyes.
When they smile at you you know they are seeing you.
Looking someone in the eye and smiling. Saying hello.
Surprise them by acknowledging their service, even their presence.
And come on. Tell me some things you've done.
I'm starting to feel a little lonely in my quest.
Leave me a comment -please?
9 comments:
I try to smile and wish folks Merry Christmas. My hubby and I are going to make two kids have a Happy Christmas. As in most communities social services have more need than resources
Today, I held the door for someone that I didn't know; a small gesture, I know, but he seemed so appreciative. Next, I wished him a happy day, and he gifted me with the same in return.
Busy weekend, but we did the mince pie/hot drink thing at the local shops on Saturday and had alot of people smiling. Especially as our resident grandad type person was accosting anyone, regardless of age and trying to convince them they wanted a balloon!
then Sunday, I went and opened up the community centre for the Carol Service and got started with setting up because my DH who was to lead it was still printing off the order of service.
And tonight at my last class before Christmas, I took fruit juice and nibbles for my students!
And now I can start thinking about Christmas properly...and blogging about it!
Sandy in the UK
First, how was the concert? I was hoping one of the kidlets would post a video of you playing! Smile, it is so easy, it opens the world to you. Our community was founded in the 40's - built to produce things for the war. This means that our town has an over abundence of elderly. What I have found is that a smile opens the door for dialogue with them. It says yes, I will reach that box of cereal on the top shelf for you at the store, or I will let you go before me in the check out line. A smile says yes, I have a minute or two to listen. So easy, but powerful. Thanks Lyric. (Another fun thing to do is let someone with fewer items go in front of you at the check out stand. It is amazing how shocked people are by this gesture.)
The concert was fantastic! There was standing room only going waaaaay back to the other end of the building. This is my third year in the horn section for it, and the first year I haven't played any embarrassing mistakes. In other words - fabulous! A huge crowd making such a joyful noise!
Isn't it fun to surprise people with little kind acts? I think I'm going to put bows on candy canes and maybe even make some little tags saying something like "the world is a better place because you are here". Something. Any better ideas?
I've been so totally self absorbed due to moving and being in the midst of unpacking for days to come. When I go out, I do try to be pleasant and cheerful with those I meet, even if they are grouchy. Before my move, I'd started delivering Meals on Wheels and hope to do something similar in my new home. Merry Christmas to you!
It's actually quite easy to do nice things in service to others. It's much harder to report on what you do! Smiling and recognizing the service I receive from waitstaff and clerks seems to make them a bit happier, and it's easy for that to become a lifelong habit.
Just to let you know that the woman who lit the fire of learning more about machine quilting for me replied to my email! I just sort of set it out there in the internet darkness - it looked like she didn't check her blog frequently - and she sent me a lovely note back. I hope she got as much satisfaction hearing from me as I did expressing my appreciation for her shepherding.
I gave up singing for many years because of a misplaced competition with my sister - and a number of years ago I joined (with some trepidation) a women's choir at our church with a director who has a heart as big as the sky for people like me. No easy cushy stuff for us! Six parts, a capella - she challenges and pushes us - such a gift.
Love your series of posts - thank you for sharing1
I too sing in a choir (two in fact) which performs at various fundraisers and regularly visits seniors' residences to sing for them. Singing enriches our spirit as much as hearing our songs hopefully raises theirs.
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