Look for the smiles

Were one to accept that which spews from the multitude of media outlets, we should be a forlorn, despondent (if not depressed) people.  Not at all diminishing serious topics proliferating the landscapes of our daily lives, surely we are not rushing headlong from one catastrophe to another.  Yet, if we plod along dejectedly, yielding to the media sirens of doom and gloom, we miss the smiles.

So, look for the smiles: the true, honest, heartfelt, spontaneous expression of happiness.  Take time each day to look for the smiles that surround us.  They are equally plentiful and invaluable.

There's one from your wife, in greeting as she walks into the home after a day at work.

There's one from the child playing with her friends on the school yard.

There's one from your neighbor, responding to your hollered greeting.

There's one from an infant responding to her mother's voice. 

There's one from the clerk at the coffee shop, responding to the customer's polite Thank You.

There's one from the lady, acknowledging your holding the door for her as she enters the local library.

There's one from the complete stranger, responding to your quip about the weather.

There's one on the face of the lady walking her dog in the neighborhood, lost in her thoughts.

There are the ones on the faces of the parents and young wife welcoming home their Marine son and husband from his overseas deployment.

There's one from the young man playing with his pet at the local dog park.

There's one on the face of an acquaintance during a chance encounter after some time since the last visit.

There's one on the face of your former co-worker, as you meet for lunch.

There's one on the face of the youngster playing organized sports.

There's one, generated for some unknown reason, on the face of a complete stranger.  

Smiles surround us.  Generated by love, friendship, happiness, humor, and countless other motivators.  All we need do is look for them.  Don't buy into the media driven crap comprised of negativity.

Look for the smiles.  Relish in their presence.  Take solace in their warmth.  Who knows, maybe they can be the motivator for your own smile!