Have you ever had those days when you just feel like the world is
1. Take the first step: smile first. As they say, smile and the world smiles with you. Even better, smile at a stranger. You never know what a person is going through. Your smile might very well make the difference between a horrible day and a great one.
2. Hold the door open for the person behind you. Simple courtesy is taken for granted a lot these days, and being at the receiving end is sure to make one smile.
3. Say thank you to people who are part of your day but you may not know – to the traffic enforcer who helped you cross the street. To the doorman in your building. To the lady manning the elevator. Oh, and say it with a sincere smile.
4. Say thank you to a co-worker, to your boss, to a friend, or to a family member. It doesn’t have to be about something in particular. Just let them know you appreciate them.
5. Bring food to work, and share it with your colleagues. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. The gesture is what counts, and the fact that you can all spend some down time together.
6. Invite someone out to lunch or coffee. Especially if you know the person could use a shoulder.
7. Help a stranger. For example, if you see a mother struggling with her kids, bags, and everything a mom carries around, offer your help. Help an elderly person cross the street.
8. Buy someone at the bar a drink. While this has the potential to be misconstrued, use your judgement. If you spot someone who looks like he/she could use a break, send a drink their way.
9. Give up your seat in the bus or subway. Sometimes I think that people who do this voluntarily is a rare and dying breed. Prove me wrong. Give up your seat without hesitation if you see that another person could use the seat more than you do.
10. Buy a stranger coffee. While waiting in line for coffee, buy someone a cup of coffee.
11. Give food to the homeless. Depending on where you live/work, you’re bound to pass by a homeless person every day. Instead of merely walking by, prepare some food or buy something from the deli and give hand it over.
12. Give a generous tip. You may tip regularly, but once in a while, splurge a little. Especially if you see that your server looks like he/she needs a pick-me-upper.
13. Compliment someone. Say something genuinely nice about someone’s hair, clothes, or even socks.
14. Take a silly photo of yourself and send it to a friend or loved one. Selfie syndrome aside, a little silliness is good for the heart.
It doesn’t take much to make people smile – strangers and friends alike. All you really need is to be genuine, and you can be the source of a smile epidemic. 😉
Lessons From India 4: The Importance of a Smile
Originally posted on March 11, 2015 @ 1:00 pm
