A smile works wonders! In St. Mark’s Gospel (chapter 10:7), Jesus asks us to pass on the abundance we have received; this is what He says: “You receive without charge, give without charge”. Every day, we have lots of opportunities to do this:
Probably the simplest way to do so is just to smile at someone and be friendly and gracious. A smile works wonders. In a simple smile, we can share the abundance that we have received. Not only does a smile bring joy, but it can also change our own attitudes. If we feel stressed or annoyed, smiling at someone can break this state of negativity. A smile is a simple thing, but we often forget how powerful it is. A smile is simply an expression of the joy within us bubbling to the surface.
A mixed-media painting by the Dutch photographer Max Van Der Oetelaarhad had a profound effect on me. It’s a photo of a happy, joyful, smiling woman; she is surrounded by a burst of magnificent splashes of colour. The truth is that smiling does not cost us anything – it is something we can easily and gladly give without charge.
Let us avail of the many opportunities to smile that come our way.
B. O’ S.