This time of year life seems easy or challenging, headlines scream abuse and conspiracy, and happiness washes upon us either in buckets or droplets. Surrounded by all that, today we are each empowered to brighten someone’s day in the simplest of ways.
Today’s assignment is simple. When someone passes by, look at them and smile. Look at their eyes — an “in the moment” acknowledgement of his or her presence — and share a smile big enough to make them smile too. This will prove harder that you think since most of us are out of practice.
Keep score as your day unfolds. Some will never look up from their phones. That’s an “0-fer.” Others might glance up, mumble a cursory reply, and quickly look away. That’s another “0-fer.”
A scoring point comes from return eye contact and a payback smile.
As simple as this exercise sounds, you will find:
- A lot of people are lost in bubbles of isolation.
- Others lack a comfortable ability to socially interact.
- Simply by making the effort, each of us is fully empowered to brighten the lives of others.
Point scoring comes with a purpose. It lets us observe the behavioral state of others, practice being positive in the lives of others, and receive instant feedback and rewards for the success and failures of the efforts we make.
A lot of hurt or wounded people are out there walking around. By being a positive force in the universe, and proactively seeking to make people smile, for however brief the exchange becomes, you have enabled them to forget the pain.
If you try this, you will experience this. If you don’t, you won’t. Everyone can use a boost during the holidays. Be proactive and deal them out.
Ocean Palmer