Smiles

Yesterday, I made the usual mecca into Manhattan. Since the trains comes less frequently on Saturday and Sunday's- the car was a little more packed than usual. I was smushed between two quite large middle eastern men and staring directly at their family- complete with mom, dad, both sets of grandparents, two kids around 10 which I assumed were cousins and a small child in a stroller who was no more than 3. As always, I surveyed the train and gave a quick smile to whoever I happened to make eye contact with. I like to smile because I have learned that a small smile can turn someones day around.

Whenever I receive a smile from someone, my mood instantly changes for that split second- and possibly for the whole day. The act of smiling (in my eyes) is a form of paying it forward- passing along a little hope to the next person and so on- to where maybe the whole chain will be smiling and someones life will be affected by just one smile. Its like a butterfly effect- where if a butterfly flaps its wings in china, that little wind will create a tidal wave.

But back to the E train...

I made contact with the 3 year old in a stroller. He was adorable in his little puff coat and hat. I waved to him and he giggled, slouched into his stroller and gave a little wave back. Seeing his adorable face giggle, I gave out a little laugh and he indicated he wanted to play. He offered his chip in his hand to me, and we played in sign language. A little peek-a-boo, he pointed to his parents and across the train to his grandparents. Our entire interaction happened with no talking- also because he spoke no English. From what I could piece together, I guessed he spoke Arabic, but then again what do I know.

Our interactions made the little boys mother smile and laugh. She looked at me and gave me a nice smile and nod of gratitude before they got off the train at Roosevelt ave. The rest of the day, I was smiling, all because of this little boy. Just by smiling and giggling, him and I opened up a whole world of communication and shaped my mood.

Maybe this is all the world needs to get along. If just one person starts smiling, maybe everyone will pass it along. It all starts on the E train. Who knows where that little boy will go or what he will do with his life, but maybe because of our smiling game, he will remember it and smile at someone else when he gets older.

Just wishful thinking about the power of a smile and fixing problems....

Lesson Learned:

pass on the smile. And maybe you'll even get a babysitting job if you play with a little kid on the subway

Peace, Love and happiness,

B