The front page of yesterday’s local paper displayed a huge photo of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.  Their smiles were gorgeous, captivating.  In fact, so drawn was I to their faces, to their smiles, that I left the paper face up so I could glance at it all day.  The bold headline said, “A NEW CHAPTER.”  This morning I am again drawn to their smiling faces and I feel such peace, hope and tranquility.  Their energy radiates through the printed page and touches me.

Then I started thinking about me and the incident in the beauty shop yesterday.  I was waiting for my stylist, reading the paper.  She came and got me and shortly thereafter asked, “So what’s happening with you today?”  I thought she was just making polite conversation.  Somehow she pulled from me my anxiety regarding the writing deadline I am currently facing.  Before too long she volunteered, “I said to myself the moment I saw you, ‘Boy, she’s under a lot of stress!’”  Now how did she know that?  I was just sitting there reading the paper.  I didn’t realize that in not communicating I was still communicating.  She said she could just feel it.

Imagine the impact that we have on one another, and sometimes we don’t even realize it.  Perhaps the recipient doesn’t realize it either.  Either way, we are still communicating and affecting one another, if only through our energy.  I started thinking about the power of a smile.  It is impossible to smile and feel anger, anxiety, or stress at the same time. A technique taught to customer service representatives is to place a mirror by their phone where they see their face when speaking to customers.  The point being, the customer can feel the smile, and the entire conversation goes better.

A smile costs nothing to give and can absolutely make someone’s day…maybe even your own, or at least set you on the right course.  Your smile might be the only positive thing that the other receives that day.  Have you ever been driving along when you turn and meet the eyes of the person in the car next to you?  What happens if you send them a warm smile?  Chances are, they will smile back…even if you’ve just done something goofy.  A smile will melt away their irritation with you.  A smile is very forgiving.  A smile is a gift, for you and for me.

I am reminded of a poem that my husband wrote several years ago.  It reminds me to remember to begin “a new chapter” today, one of warmth, peace, and tranquility…

Walk with me down the street

And look past the faces of people we meet.

Look beyond the masks that they wear.

Smile and show the strangers that you care.

Remind them with a gentle glance

That their passing is not by chance,

And that there is purpose in every day

Beyond what elegant words can say.

~ David K. Brown