I was walking in the shopping mall, pondering a couple of discouraging encounters I had had earlier in the day. Suddenly, a young boy was blocking my path and I slowed to step around him. He greeted me with a warm smile and a wave of his hand. I couldn’t help but smile back, and then I realized that my mood had been lifted.
I also reflected on the fact that the youth was a youngster with Down syndrome. He had healed me of my blue feelings—with a smile. My thoughts continued to explore the situation. Everyone would be in agreement that the little guy had limited abilities. And yet, he had the ability to help — to heal — a big guy like me. If he could do that for me, I certainly had the ability to do it for others. So I resolved, right there, on the spot, to be more conscious of giving my smile away.
Every one carries a smile. Too many are unused, or too rarely used. Smiles are instant inoculations of loving-kindness. And every one needs them constantly. Each of us walks through life carrying this powerful medicine, and we have the opportunity to lift spirits and heal discouraged souls everywhere we go.
1. Believe your smile can heal another person. 2. Decide to give it to people you meet—clerks, mechanics, people you work with, the mail person, your doctor, your waiter. 3. Trust that they will feel brightened by your kind act. 4. Enjoy this new agenda for everyday living.
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