It's days like today, when the air is chilly and the sky is grey that I just want to curl up in a ball and pretend that the world doesn't exist! We got a pellet stove over the winter, and having it blasting away in our family room makes getting up and out into the chill all that more difficult.
But here I am... At work. Clearly, I am working very hard at the moment. (In truth, I am taking a much needed break in the writing of a brutally long grant) I came across this little gem on the internet while pondering the "amazing lives" of my many acquaintances on Facebook.
It's worth the break in reading to watch - Click here. (and turn the volume up!)
Can I just say... This made my whole day. I absolutely love how they got the progression of this on film. First, the man starts laughing, and people start looking skeptically, is this guy crazy? unhinged? am I safe next to this lunatic? ... And then, as he unabashedly continues and his laughter gets louder and more uncontrolled, it starts to become catching, and people all around begin giggling and then full on laughing out loud with this guy who is, at this point, hysterically laughing.
What I love more than the quick laugh though, is the message behind it. We don't often put thought into how our actions and behaviors impact the people around us. Sure, we know that when we come home in a mood, it can ruin the mood for our whole family, but I'm talking about the random impressions that we are making all day long. Did you smile at the dunkin donuts cashier when they handed you your coffee this morning? Or at the random neighbor who was walking their dog when you got into your car to go to work? Did you smile at the stranger in the elevator or the people you passed on your way into the office?
Why not?
I love to smile... For many reasons. The most obvious being a personal need for politeness, sometimes to force myself into the right frame of mind, and occasionally to shake someone else out of their comfort zone. I know it's bad, but I simply can't help smiling wide at someone who looks like their smile button is permanently broken. Regardless of my purpose though, I hope that I am leaving a path of smiles in my wake everywhere I go. (Even if they are smiling and thinking to themselves, she's crazy!)
Something as simple as a smile, or even the brief kindness of a stranger as they pass you by, is all you need to change the outlook on your day. Why not make someone's day today. Slap a big old smile on your face as you head out to lunch, or when you swing by the grocery store on your way home. (true happiness not required - just a sincere smile) Happiness, smiles and laughter are contagious, and I'd bet money on the fact that you will find this simple effort will change more than just the attitudes of the people around you.
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