Titled: “Smile for goodness sake!”
Daily at work we met early in the morning along the corridors running parallel along the car park. A small old lady of maybe late 60s who was contracted to do the morning area cleaning. Her sad eyes would stare at the floor as she mopped the corridors oblivious of whether you’re there or not. Whether you’ve stepped on the newly mopped wet floor. She had afterall being overlooked for her work as a cleaner in the working compound. Most if not all staff would hardly had a glance at her let alone smile or talk to her. It had became a routine and all has got accustomed to the way it is. Perhaps conditioned by the busy schedule.
One day I decided to change the routine, to just slow down and wait for her to look in my direction. As she looked, I smiled. I waited a few more moments for her sad eye to understand that I’m smiling as a form of greetings. This goes on forever I had thought then. No respond. Days went by and still no response. Then a week later, she put up a weak smile. Her eyes spoke without articulating a word and I knew she had said good morning with a nod of her head. A tiny little glimpse of acknowledgement. More of an unsure smile from her.
Since then, she appeared to be happier each time we met and greeted. Her smile grew and seems to have more energy. Her stride appeared to bounce as she does her work. Life does work in mysterious ways and sometimes doing a simple thing such as changing our facial expression like putting on a smile do have an impact on our surrounding people. Well, smile more and see the changes in the people you deal with. So smile for goodness sake!
Here’s a clip on smile!
lissa said:
I like this story. I like that you kept on trying even when she doesn’t respond, if only we can all learn to do such simple things
Tumblewords said:
Amazing isn’t it? Nice post!
pia said:
It’s amazing what a smile can do. I smile at everybody–basically because I look horrible if I don’t–but then I noticed how people reacted and it keeps paying forward
Jo Anne said:
You never know what effect you will have on another person by just noticing them in the course of you day and all the ripples created by a simple hello exchanged.
anthonynorth said:
You’re so right, and it’s a strange thing that people are suspicious of people who smile all the time.
A great shame.
paisley said:
it is truly amazing what the hard hearts one can soften with a smile… excellent post.
jujee said:
Message Delivered well 🙂
ratanaong said:
Hi everyone,
Thanks for visiting!
Hi Lissa, Thanks for the compliment. Glad that you like the story.
Hi Tumblewords, Agreed. Amazing it was!
Hi Pia, Glad you’ve found the secret that a smile makes you looook and feeeeel beautiful!
Hi Jo Anne, Yes! the effect was great.
Hi Anthonynorth, You’re right. That’s how people respond most of the time.
Hi paisley, Thanks. a smile do wonders.
Hi Jujee, Thanks for the compliment.
TC said:
It’s amazing how one small, almost effortless on our part, action can change someone else’s life. Excellent message.
OneMoreBeliever said:
excellent post.. can honestly tell ya a day is so much better w/a smile… amen… and how wonderful that you would reach out…
Amarettogirl said:
What an exquisitely simple and beautiful story! I wholeheartedly agree with you! Smiles and laughter are contagious and we could change/shift/push the world’s frown upside down if we all just smiled!!!!Dammit! 😉
ratanaong said:
Hi TC, agreed that we should take action.
Hi OneMoreBeliever, great minds think alike 😉
Hi Amarettogirl, Thanks for the compliment. Smile and laughter sure is contagious. I’m with you.
gautami tripathy said:
Great post! And I agree!
parallel plot