One of my favorite songs these days is “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.
Every time it comes on the radio, I get a huge smile on my face.
So, when I was returning from a weekend trip in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., this past weekend and we were dropping off our rental car, I must have been thinking of that song. As I got out of the car, I smiled at the attendant. His reaction was amazing.
“What a great smile you have!” he said.
“Thank you!” I replied.
“It’s not just your smile, or your teeth. It’s the way your whole face lights up!”
I told him that he really made my day, and he told me that I made his.
How many times do we have something on our minds, completely preoccupied, and don’t think about what we look like to others? You know what I am talking about—that slight scowl or tense look. That’s not a face that is fun for people to look at.
What if we each conscientiously put our efforts into walking around with a smile and saying hello to everyone we see? It doesn’t really take that much extra effort.
I learned this from a speaker who presented at our recent company sales meeting: when you say something positive and kind to someone else, it gives energy and strength to both you and the person to whom you are speaking.
And conversely, when you say something negative or critical, you weaken both yourself and the other person.
So, why not try it for a week? Smile at everyone you see. I would love to hear about the reactions you get, if you would share with me in the comment section below.
Big smile from Avery Maes, Frieda’s future intern and unofficial mascot, daughter of our production artist Mark Maes.
Karen
P.S. I have never seen a YouTube video that has more than 410 million views before! That’s how many Pharrell has for “Happy!” I guess happiness is catching on.