giggling

 Our behavior can affect people for good or bad

In my last post I mentioned how people affect each other every day, knowingly or unknowingly. (See People are basically all just people).  Just like the flu or some types of diseases are contagious or infectious, our behavior toward other people is the same, we can infect people with something good or bad.  

I experience this myself just recently. I was going uptown to Manhattan in New York City, and like almost everyone in this Big City we take the subway trains everywhere, even the Mayor does. It is the easiest and least expensive way to get around. You will notice that in a lot of my posts I mentioned experiences or things while riding the trains. Because it is the place you can see the most interesting people in New York from all over the world.  No wonder this city is called the melting pot of nationalities and cultures.  

I am very observant by nature, probably like most creative people I love looking at people, admiring what they wear, their hairstyles, everything from head to toe. It inspires me with new ideas for different creative projects. If you don’t understand people you cannot design or even promote products for them. 

Ebony Legs with Hot Bright Pink Stiletto Shoes

A few seats from where I was sitting on the same side of the train, I saw the long very dark legs of a young woman, african american or maybe just african, with long spiky heels neon bright pink shoes stretching out from under her seat. Now ofcourse I knew I started smiling because she just stood out. She had real dark smooth ebony skin, so these neon very bright pink shoes just stood out in the crowd.  

I was watching her and thinking to myself where in the world is she going with such high heels bright shoes at midday? She couldn’t be going on a business or job interview dressed like that.  She sure would make a nice Shoe Poster, or Billboard Ad. 

Or maybe she is planning on going to a night club after dark and just in case she gets lost or killed her shoes will help the police find her in the dark. Ofcourse my wild creative imagination started designing posters and newspaper scenes in my head about these ebony legs with the bright pink stiletto shoes.  That’s how my mind works when I see something that gets my creative juices flowing.

Again the more people I came across and looked at were smiling. Now I was convinced that I must look funny or something was wrong with me. Did I button my blouse up wrong, maybe missing a spot? Or was my blouse opened in the wrong place? Was there something stuck on my face, or did my upsweep hairdo bun came loosed and looked funny hanging out of place? 

Keep smiling Sweetheart, you have made my day! 

I saw a McDonald Restaurant in the near distance, and just as I was about to rush in so that I could use the restroom and check in the mirror to see if there was something wrong with me, an older businessman with a briefcase walking toward me, looked at me and smilingly said:  “Keep smiling sweetheart, you have made my day.”   “Thank you”, I replied puzzled and surprised. 

Huh? Was that it? Was everybody smiling because I was smiling?  Just to be sure that was the reason for everyone’s smiling back at me, I checked myself in the fast food restroom mirror anyway to make sure nothing was out of place, and I looked fine.  So it was true! People were smiling when I looked at them because I was smiling. I was infecting their spirit, they were catching the smile and responding with same.

A warm smile is contagious, it makes others feel safe

A smile is contagious, if we smile it automatically make others smile back because it sends a friendly message and makes them feel safe. I must have been still musing over that girl I saw with the neon bright pink shoes and smiling. It doesn’t take much for me to giggle or smile anyway, that is just me. People often tell me that I was smiling even when I didn’t know I was. 

But a simple smile affected so many people I came across, and made that businessman day. Who knows he could have been going through some financial, or family problems, or even health problems like most of us, but the simple kind act of smiling helped eased his inner or spiritual need for comfort from a complete stranger.     

What we give out, we get back 

It is true that what we give out we get back because the other person is very much like ourselves, so they can respond to whatever act of kindness we are sending out. And small acts of kindness can do so much good for someone else. 

Unknown to her I was affected by the stranger with the ebony legs and bright hot pink stiletto shoes that started me smiling, and in turn I infected others with my smile. It shows how people or even just one person can affect a whole crowd in even small ways, because we are very much alike, needing the same things. (See “People are basically all just people”). 

 I love the words of the song in this Video, “Smile” sung by Michael Jackson. Turn on the music speakers on your computer and listen carefully to these words. It is also funny and I hope it will bring a smile to your face.  

If it means a simple smile can make another person’s day, then do so, and I hope I have also made your day.  

Written by: (C) Glenda Brill 

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