I am inspired by people who make eye contact and smile at strangers.
I’ve recently started a new job and take public transportation to get there (Bay Area Rapid Transit). If you’ve ever ridden public transportation, you know that the majority of the time people are frazzled, frenzied and frustrated trying to get where they’re going. There are sometimes delays and your normal commute can be affected by ball games, parades, festivals and any other number of public events. It results in a very squished and sweaty rush hour. And most people aren’t too happy about it.
I am inspired by people who make eye contact and smile at strangers.
Getting on the train at 5’4”, I’m not exactly short, but I’m by no means the tallest of those on BART and usually that means I’m at armpit level. Oh, what a pleasant place to be (insert sarcasm here). I try to look up at people and smile at them as I squish in, just to kind of let them know “no hard feelings.” I often get a glare or grimace, or even just a stony face. None of which inspire me to feel any sort of camaraderie at all. However, the times I receive a smile or even a smirk, it reminds me that we’re all in this together. I’m inspired to be compassionate. I’m inspired to be empathetic. I’m inspired, period, because in that smile between strangers, they just reminded me of the commonality we all share – we are human.
I am inspired by people who make eye contact and smile at strangers.
Are you inspired by gruff tones and anger? Do yelling and shouting inspire you to create, love and offer compassion? That is hardly the case. Statistics show that a hug can increase your life span. A smile can increase productivity. Being a pleasant person reduces stress, raises creativity and increases your state of well-being. It makes you a happier person, which therefore makes others around you happier. With one smile, you can start an epidemic. I love the phrase “Better to be the one who smiled, than the one who didn’t smile back.” There’s a truth there. When you offer a smile, you’re saying “hello, I don’t know you, but I respect who you are.” When you don’t smile back, you give the impression “I don’t care who you are because I don’t know you.” Not very pleasant is it?
“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.” (Proverbs 18:24)
It’s likely that what we are inspired by will also inspire others. Take a few minutes and write down what inspired you today – how can you give that to someone else? What friendly gesture can you make that will lighten someone’s load? Remember, a hug can increase your life span, and a smile can change the whole course of a person’s day.
Happy people really do work harder – Economic Value of a Smile – The Impact of Positive Leadership