Smile...someone may thank you

I left the house one morning before most of Santiago had woken. I was on my way to a really early English class about 30 minutes away from my house, and the chilly mountain air was still settled over the city. On my way, I noticed that no one was smiling. I realized that no one ever really smiles when they walk from one place to another (no one is frowning either, though I have seen a grimace or two along the way). I wondered how people would react if I smiled the whole way to work, so I did just that.

I thought about many things of my past that will always put a smile on my face, such as wonderful conversations I've had, my many travels to different places in the world, and all the people I have been lucky enough to love along the way. It didn't take long to think of some things that had me beaming with smiles. So there I was...I was walking down the street with a huge grin on my face looking like some sort of doofus, but I was determined to continue it the whole way to work. I figured that smiling shouldn't take so much effort and shouldn't be so odd, so I kept my grin gleaming in many different shades of happy.

Some people looked at me as if I was crazy, some people awkwardly smiled back, and some people saw me and looked away immediately (they probably thought I was a crazy lady...). I was very interested in all of the different reactions I was getting, but one reaction has stayed with me for days.

I had stopped at a crosswalk where we were all waiting for the little electronic man to turn green, and I noticed an older man, about 65-years-old, across the street waiting to come my way. I noticed him because he was staring at me without subtlety and I could tell he was rather curious as to why I had a huge grin on my face. The little electronic man turned green and we all started to cross. The man came my way and I went his, and we would soon pass each other. He was still staring at me and at this point a small smile had formed on his face. He walked more slowly than the rush of people that were racing to their offices or to a meeting, and his smile kept getting bigger. Right when we crossed paths, he smiled a huge smile, looked me straight in the eye and said "gracias" (thank you). I said "de nada" (your welcome) and kept on my way.

I couldn't believe it. Someone thanked me for simply smiling as I walked down the street.

I guess we never really realize how much a smile can affect someone. I guess we never really know how the small things we do can make an impact on other people's days, no matter how small that impact may be.

I try to smile whenever I walk now.

You are all often the reason for many of my smiles. So, as the old man said to me, "gracias".

Keep the hugs flowing.
Send some to me.
Smile when you go somewhere today.
Much love.

:)