Tuesdays can have the tendency to be dull extensions of a long Monday. Today’s Tuesday has become different for me. After a week of being sick, over-extending myself to various commitments and a few too many workouts, I woke up to a terrible Tuesday.
During my errand run to Walmart today, my Tuesday changed and I changed a little bit too. My five-minute stop-and-shop reminded me of one of life’s greatest truths: that life is magnetized and becomes absolutely magnificent in the simple act of a smile.
Khulna, Bangladesh
As I rushed in and out of Walmart, I found myself surrounded by the mid-morning elderly crowd, happily rolling in their wheelchairs and flashing smiles to one another. While waiting to check-out, I felt like I had entered a secret social club of joy. I never knew Walmart could be this happy. I saw eyes sparkling, hugs given and aging shoppers patting each other on the back, all glowing in smiles about how they were out and about that morning. As I scurried out the door, I couldn’t help but beam a smile and chuckle to myself about the good nature of humans.
Driving back to work after Walmart, I couldn’t stop ruminating over this universal gift we all have been given: the gift of a smile. It is miraculous the way a smile can transform one’s beauty, inspire others and make one feel just a little bit less alone in this world. Whether you are shopping in Walmart today, walking the streets of a third world country, or just doing your Tuesday routine, make sure you smile. Your smile is contagious, and you never know, your smile might be the smile that changes my (or someone else’s) day, and for that, I thank you!