Ancestors Speak - You Receive What You Give!

           Smiling woman image from Microsoft Clip Art

 

 

 

 

 

I was at the grocery store the other day, and I was surprised at how grim people are looking.  It was a beautiful day, the store was not crowded as it was quite early, and I was feeling quite happy.  I am a happy person, and that sometimes is a problem for people who think that I do not take life seriously.  My answer to that view is - for too long I did take life too seriously.  The nicest thing people can say to me is that they like how I make them laugh.  What nicer compliment could there be? 

As I was pondering the unhappy faces, I just started smiling at everyone. Some people simply glanced away.  After several aisles of smiling, I started to see people that I'd seen several aisles ago.  Now, they were smiling at me first, and sometimes shaking their heads.  No matter.  Their mood had lifted.

Later that day, as I was going through some Buddhist lessons, I found this lovely poem that summed up why smiling is important.  Enjoy!

   SMILE!

She smiled at a sorrowful stranger.
The smile seemed to make him feel better.
He remembered past kindnesses of a friend
And wrote him a thank you letter.
The friend was so pleased with the thank you
That he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
Bet the whole thing on a hunch.
The next day she picked up her winnings,
And gave part to a man on the street.
The man on the street was grateful;
For two days he'd had nothing to eat.
After he finished his dinner,
He left for his small dingy room.
He didn't know at that moment that he might be facing his doom.
On the way he picked up a shivering puppy.
And took him home to get warm.
The puppy was very grateful
To be in out of the storm.
That night the house caught on fire.
The puppy barked the alarm.
He barked till he woke the whole household
And saved everybody from harm.
One of the boys that he rescued
Grew up to be President.
All this because of a simple smile
That hadn't cost a cent.

(Poet not noted.  This poem is from  http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/)

What is your experience with people responding to your smile? judy@angelsandancestors.com

Also see:

Buddha Speaks - Daily Necessities