Life Is Made Up of Kindness and Smiles

"Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations, given habitually are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort." Sir Humphry Davy

It doesn't take a lot of effort to be kind.

Imagine the following scenario: it is 6:30 am in early February in Northeast Ohio. It's pitch black, 18°F outside, and the wintery winds are gusting at about 20 miles per hour. You are in front of a large healthcare facility, along with a group of adults, and you are all impatiently waiting for a crossing guard to let you across the street so you can get to work. Finally, the traffic light changes and you all walk past the guard, either scowling or ignoring him entirely.

If this for you, what would you do when you passed the guard? Would you be one of the scowlers, or would you pause to consider that in less than two minutes you are going to be inside a nice warm building while he is still working outside in the bitter cold? Would you smile at him? Would you take just a second and acknowledge him for what he's doing? Think about it.

Several years ago, I was in that group of cold adults. I want to get into that building, believe me, and I was on my way. Instead of joining the crowd of scowling faces, I took a different tact. As I walked by, I put my hand on the crossing guard's shoulder, smiled and said, "Dude, I am so glad I am not you today." The expression on his face was priceless; he lit up. Just for a moment, somebody saw him in his discomfort and acknowledged him. Sometimes that's all it takes.

In the scheme of things, this incident was an extremely small part of my day. Yet when I recall the expression on that gentleman's face, it brings me delightful memories and still makes me feel happy years later.

Think about the number of people that you come into contact with on a daily basis. If you consciously took the time to see each and every one of those people, how many people would it be? 10? 25? 100? The thing is: it only takes one. Connecting with one person at a time gives you a golden opportunity to make a difference.

A smile, a caring word, an act of kindness - that's all it takes to make this world a little better place. Is there someone that you see all the time but you don't take the time to acknowledge? How about changing that? Today, make it a point to bring a smile to someone's face. Chances are excellent that this act will bring happiness to you as well. And who knows, the memory of one short encounter may still light you up years from now.

Have fun,

Lisa

The crossing guard, the cleaning person, the early morning barista at your favorite coffee shop - who is it that you can bring joy to today?

Lisa Ryan is the Chief Appreciation Strategist with Grategy. She is a keynote speaker, gratitude expert, and author of "The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude" and she is featured in the documentary, "The Keeper of the Keys" with Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff, and John Gray.

Learn more about Lisa Ryan at http://www.grategy.com/