Ever since I moved to Kuala umpur, I have been walking a
lot to drop my kids to and fro from school. On my daily walks,I see many familiar faces, regular joggers, dogs
and of course, school-going kids.
As I walk , it is my habit to smile at people. Even if they
are strangers, whether it’s a policeman, a maid on her way to work, I always
smile.
A lot of people, smile back. There are some, who wish me
“Good Morning” enthusiastically even before I can smile at them.
And then there are some people. They are so pre-occupied
with where they are going. They seem to be looking straight ahead at nothing in
particular. And when they approach you, they look even further away, as though
they are studiously avoiding a smile. I know, they can see me from the
periphery of their eye. I know , that they know I’m looking at them, about to
smile or wish them.
And yet they move on, walking furiously towards their
chores, their destination. As I observe
their faces, and expresson, some are lost in deep thought, some are melancholy,
and some are just closed. They don’t want to let anyone in, least of all a
smile from a stranger.
I want to smile at them. I want to tell them, Smile at the universe,
it is waiting to smile right back at you!
You might say, to each his own. And what right do I have to
expect a smile in return.
But , here’s the thing. How often do we go through life like
that? Me included. We are furiously focussed on our goal. Walking ahead, so
lost in our thought of the destination, that we don’t want to let anything get
in our way. The smile from a stranger, A hug from a child, a phone call from a
friend who you don’t have the time for.
And maybe we do miss so many things. Some opportunities,
Some connections, the ability to take life slow, the leisure of stopping to
smell the roses… I can go on and on…..
How many times do we shut out things, people, and so many
other moments? Because they are distractions, or we just don’t have the time!!
Smiling at the Universe opens you up to all the good that
life has to give you. The mere act of smiling at a stranger, saying yes to a
detour, ushers in all the positivity that we deserve to receive. We can focus
on our destination, and yet enjoy the path that takes us there.
Here’s something I wrote .and I hope that it may serve as an
inspiration to you…
It’s a tough road
everyday..
No time to watch the
sun’s shining ray..
I know how much it
means to you to reach your goal..
As in your life, you
play many a complex role..
But STOP, and
SMILE…it won’t cost a thing..
The universe wants
you to appreciate everything..
You may be in a
hurry, you may be running late..
But smile to watch
the sweet girl running out the gate..
I know you are busy,
and there is lots to do..
But there’s a cute
dog on the street waiting to say hi to you…
It’s easy for me to
say, I know I don’t walk your path..
But there’s a
stranger who is waiting for your smile to light their heart…
Smile for yourself,
It’s a selfish thing too
Because, as you smile
at the universe, it will smile right back at you…
I need to reach my
destination, I know that’s what you say…
And I have a mounting
load of chores, and so many bills to pay..
A smile won’t slow
you down, it wont make you come last,,
Because fast is slow,
and slow is fast
Just remember, the journey is the reward!
Smile at yourself,
and to no one in particular..
Just yell to a
stanger, “Have a nice day! See you later!
Watch the bounce in
your step grow
It’s sometimes nice
to be slow..
And when you reach
your destination, Smile!
Lend a hand to
someone who has walked an extra mile..
Watch the magic
unfold in your daily life..
All you have to do is
just SMILE….
