I wish people smiled more. While I do acknowledge these are difficult economic times and life isn’t always a chocolate cupcake, it’s a big problem if you can’t find something to smile about. People like me who don’t have the best dental work have learned to shy away from smiling because sometimes it scares people away. But a smile is genetically programmed into us. It is part of the fabric that makes us human beings. It’s one of the most simple expressions of emotion we don’t have to take a class on. Although, I think most of us need a refresher course on how and when to let a smile or two loose. I am guilty of controlling my smiles. For the life of me, I can’t remember when I conditioned myself to hold back smiles. Why in the world would I have wanted to hide my happy reactions?
I can understand that there are some cultures and religions that demand a filter or prescribe emotional expressions. But that’s people getting in the way of something we were born to express. Try to keep a smile a smile. As the recipient, don’t think anything more of it. Tell your head to make it simple and innocent. They aren’t trying to manipulate or mock you. And if they are, who cares? Receive it. Enjoy it. Give some back. Easy, quick transaction. Nothing more. Nothing less.
