I wonder what the world would be like if everyone practiced smiling—not only with family and friends, but occasionally with the people encountered throughout the day.
I have yet to hear anyone accused of:
Assault with a deadly smile.
Smiling without a license.
Or smiling over the speed limit.
LOL.
The most powerful social app may already be installed.
No download required.
LET’S AGREE ON THIS
A person who walks around with a permanent smile fixed upon the face may be pushing the point into the Twilight Zone.
That is not the smile I am discussing.
I mean a smile used as a sincere greeting or response.
A moment of acknowledgment.
A quiet way of saying:
“I see you.”
Words and sound effects are optional.
THE ORIGINAL SOCIAL CONNECTION
Meeting people is not going away during our lifetime.
People will continue passing one another in stores, hallways, parks, sidewalks, waiting rooms, elevators, and ordinary life.
When two strangers pass, choices appear.
We can ignore each other.
We can look down.
We can pretend the other person does not exist.
Or we can offer a small acknowledgment.
Ignoring somebody can require effort too.
We sometimes work hard to avoid connecting.
WAYS TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANOTHER PERSON
- Make brief eye contact—not staring, but an ordinary eye-to-eye connection.
- Make eye contact and then naturally look away—the respectful glance.
- Offer a smile, grin, or positive expression.
- Add a verbal greeting:
“Hello.”
“Good morning.”
“Hey there.”
“How’s it going?”
- Offer the silent message:
“I see you.”
- Create something spontaneous for the moment:
A laugh.
A sincere compliment.
A kind observation.
These small gestures allow us to practice being human while respecting another person’s space.
I HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU
For the last few weeks, I have been giving away smiles.
Lots of them.
Big, glad-to-see-you, how-are-you-doing smiles.
What I receive in return can be priceless.
I do not know most of the people receiving them.
But for a moment, we are known to one another.
Whatever they think of me afterward, how bad can it be?
Do not answer that too quickly.
NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED
A smile does not require:
An account.
A password.
An update.
A monthly subscription.
A charging cable.
A privacy agreement.
Or permission to access your contacts.
It is already available.
You carry it everywhere.
The challenge is remembering to use it.
A PEACEFUL SIGNAL
A genuine smile can communicate peace, acceptance, friendliness, gratitude, or simple goodwill.
It can soften an ordinary encounter.
It may help somebody feel less invisible.
But remember:
A smile is an offering.
It is not a command.
Another person does not owe us a smile in return.
They may be distracted.
Grieving.
Anxious.
In pain.
Culturally reserved.
Uncomfortable with eye contact.
Or simply interested in being left alone.
Give freely.
Do not collect payment.
STAND YOUR GROUND—GENTLY
I have received some interesting returns.
I smile.
The other person stares back with a rock-like face.
Someone quickly looks away.
Another looks straight ahead.
One person seems suspicious.
Another appears offended that I have dared to look cheerful in public.
You never know.
The smile may be returned immediately.
It may be received privately.
It may not be welcomed at all.
That is okay.
The goal is not to conquer the person.
The goal is to offer a clean moment of goodwill.
SPEAKING OF CHILDREN
A two-year-old got me good one day.
She managed to stand, grab hold of something, turn around, and lock eyes with me.
Then she gave me her smile.
It immediately brought me down to her level.
I smiled back.
She responded with the smile of smiles—the one capable of melting butter at a considerable distance.
I surrendered.
Her mother watched the entire exchange and looked proud as a peacock.
What price do you put on that?
No words.
No résumé.
No explanation.
Two human beings exchanged joy.
WHY IS THIS GUY SMILING?
Does it matter?
A smile often invokes some kind of response.
A grin.
A raised eyebrow.
A surprised expression.
A flash of teeth.
A small gesture of approval.
Or nothing visible.
Do not assume that an unreadable face means nothing happened.
But do not insist that you “got” the person either.
Some people receive privately.
Let them.
PROPER SMILING PROCEDURE
If you walk around holding the same smile for three hours, you may begin drooling and invite questions about your well-being.
Proper smiling procedure is expected.
Summon the smile for the particular moment and person.
Do not keep one running like a neon sign while waiting for someone to pass.
Let it happen spontaneously.
Natural.
Freshly made.
A smile prepared for the person now standing before you.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SMILE AND A PERFORMANCE
A real smile reaches beyond the mouth.
It carries attention.
The person receiving it can often sense whether it is sincere.
A performance says:
“Notice how friendly I am.”
A genuine smile says:
“For this moment, I am glad you are here.”
One advertises the giver.
The other acknowledges the receiver.
WARM AND INVITING
When a smile is offered and returned, a small satisfaction may appear.
Was it a connection?
A gift?
A statement?
Perhaps all three.
You smile.
The other person smiles.
Then both continue on their merry way.
That is one pleasant entrance and exit.
Nothing more is required.
But remain ready.
You never know who is coming next.
SMILE SAFELY AND RESPECTFULLY
Context matters.
Do not use smiling to pressure someone into conversation.
Do not follow a person who turns away.
Do not mistake politeness for romantic interest.
Do not invade somebody’s space because they responded kindly.
A smile can open a door.
It does not give us ownership of the room.
Respect keeps friendliness friendly.
FINAL THOUGHT
A smile cannot repair every hardship.
It cannot replace food, shelter, medical care, apology, justice, or meaningful help.
But it can accompany all of them.
It can remind another person that kindness still exists.
It can interrupt a difficult moment.
It can become the first small movement from stranger to neighbor.
And it costs nothing to install.
PEARLS INSIGHT
A sincere smile is a form of social acknowledgment. It communicates recognition and goodwill while requiring no obligation from the person receiving it.
PEARLS FROM THE BOOKS
A continuing lesson throughout Pearls for the Soul is that small acts can carry substantial meaning when they tell another person:
“I see you, and your presence matters.”
PEARLS CONNECTION
When was the last time a stranger’s smile unexpectedly improved your day?
RICHIE SPEAKS
My smile is free.
No coupon.
No warranty.
No money-back guarantee.
I give it away fresh and trust the receiver to decide what to do with it.
So far, inventory remains excellent.
FINAL SAY
Make eye contact when appropriate.
Offer the smile.
Add a hello if the moment invites it.
Respect whatever comes back.
Then continue on your merry way.
The most powerful human app may already be installed.
Are you using it?
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
https://pearlsforthesoul.com
Been expecting you