Reasons to Smile

Smile is precious, and it is contagious as it is an instant mood lift.

In a challenging world with countless people carrying tons of loads on their shoulders, it seems difficult to smile sometimes. But as Pope Francis said,

Never forget to smile, even when life is hard.

Last June I had some very good reasons to smile. My firstborn son established his home-based publishing business, and the book he authored was already released. My middle child (daughter) passed the nursing board examinations and now she is more than determined to redirect her career path as a registered nurse. The youngest daughter who is a medical research specialist specializing in stem cell therapy, took time out for a week to be with me. Glory to God.

A mother's world revolves around her children, no matter how physically far they are away from her. They are in her heart until her last breath. They are her reason to live. Memories with them when they needed her in their childhood will definitely make her smile, one reason why elder mothers sometimes dwell in the past.

We all have some reasons to smile despite pains being thrown to us by life. We just allow life to naturally process everything. Let the feeling sink in and down, then we no longer feel hurt, be grateful with what we have got (which other people, unfortunately, do not have), and smile.

When I first stepped on the ground of this Middle Eastern country more than a decade ago, the time when overseas Filipinos used to exchange authentic smiles if they met somewhere even along the streets or in the malls, my boss asked me, "Were you a politician in  your place?"  I replied, "One does not need to be a politician or to have a politician's DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, carrier of genetic information) to smile. We are known to have a strong family tie. Outside our houses, we consider our countrymen as our brothers and sisters more so when we are in a foreign country. We feel joy smiling at each other."

Filipinos are warm and hospitable. As you know in the field of healthcare, overseas Filipino healthcare practitioners excel. OFWs love to smile. William Arthur Ward is true when he said that --

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

Yes, add the descriptive word 'warm'.   In a country with 200+ nationalities, and in the Year of Tolerance, a warm smile is the universal language of kindness. Be kind. Always wear that warm smile.

Three (3) days ago, the Asian manager of the restaurant at the ground floor of our building gave me a beautiful umbrella. The staff there treated me warmly always. I asked one of them, "Do you give an umbrella to all customers? Is there any promotion going on?"  She replied politely, "No, madam. As far as I know, you were the only customer who got that umbrella with our brand name printed on it, from the manager himself."

A blessing for a smile, and a smile for a blessing. For me, everything given to me, asked and not asked for, is a blessing.

My friend invited me to dinner for her to pour out some negative emotions. She was terribly upset with her situation. She asked me, "Why are you always calm? How can you  manage to smile despite some challenges in your life?"

Think of Leonardo da Vinci -- "I love those who can smile in trouble." 

Should I frown when a friend pours out some inner sorrows? No. Never. Frowning will eat both of us. There are many incompassionate people who frown at other hurting ones already. Earlier she talked to another friend and she got a frown and a piece of advice that insulted her so she wanted to vent it out. I would never, never add another knit brows to that injury.

William Shakespeare said, "A smile cures the wounding of a frown."

Should I frown when a family member is in trouble? No. Never. My spirit's indefeasible duty is to bring him/her hope and cheers. Frowning will create a wall, divide us and suck whatever remaining energy the hopeless soul has. I will bring chuckles to his/her heart until the sun shows its face.

In life, there are many detractors sent by enemies in the dark to challenge you. There are many obstacles along the way to our desired destination which we know by ourselves would be the best for us. The best thing to do is to smile at them. Medusa said,

Smile at the obstacle, for it is a bridge.

We meet many people facing internal and external battles, real and imagined. They are family members, housemates, co-workers, and strangers. Simply give them a warm smile. As H. Jackson Brown Jr. put it, "It might be the only sunshine they see (his line: he sees) all day."

St. Mother Teresa is right when she said that "peace begins with a smile".  Everybody can contribute to global peace with something easy to do below our noses.

Passionately make at least someone smile every single day. Find a reason or reasons to share a warm smile with other people. You will feel happy and at peace with yourself.

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Photo credits:  Pixabay