A smile, a word - How to Make a Difference

Last year, I was in Birmingham, walking back home. There was a man walking in front of me. I was possibly immersed in dark and worrisome thoughts and just minding my own business. This man, starts speaking out loud as he turns to me: ‘Who is walking behind me which such beautiful energy? Who is this person?’ He turns to me with a warm welcoming smile on his face. We walk together in the same direction and start chatting. He tells me he is on his way to visit his mother in a home. He brought her to the UK from Jamaica a few years ago to take care of her. When he no longer was able to do it on his own, he put her in a home. The first one was not good and he had her changed to the one she is now. His name is Tom. He visits his mother every day. He comes and gives her lunch and spends some time with her. She is happy in this new home and he is happy. 
He reaches the home, for his daily visit. We connected. He tells me his name, asks for mine and invites me in for a hug. I take it.

I have no idea of what you think of angels, and I didn’t use to think much about them, but it is events like this that make me believe that there are some angels on this earth and Tom was one of them.

This whole conversation took only a couple of minutes, but at the end of it, I had a massive smile on my face and I was so so grateful. I was pulled out of a series of negative and low type of thoughts. I was lifted by this man’s openness and bright spirit.

Today, I was going up a flight of stairs in a building, for a meeting that made me anxious. Not as anxious as I had felt before, but still anxious. As I was walking up I gave a big sigh, not really conscious I was doing so. Around the corner came this older man with sparkling playful eyes. Before he even saw me properly he was saying: ‘Who is sighing like this? Regardless of what is happening in your life, have a good day. You can always have a good day.’ And off he went, in the opposite direction of me. Leaving me with a smile on my face and another important message. I could feel it was being said to me from the heart. Once again, bringing me out from my worried mind and into the present moment, where I can indeed have a good day.

There have been a few other handful moments like this in the past year or so. From complete strangers, people I had never seen before and will never see again.

These people made a difference.

As a human being on this planet, I have for some time, made an effort to be present (as much as possible) when I am out and about. To look strangers in the eye, to smile. Who knows, how many hearts I have touched with the act of seeing them and smiling? I hope I have at least made someone’s day better or even more bearable.

It has not been only humans, who have touched my heart. I have reconnected with animals in the last year and a half, and in particular with dogs.

Walking dogs and being around them, always brings a smile to my face. As I have been walking one dog in particular (the one on the photo), I notice how other people also seem to brighten up when they see him. I take him on the bus for a short ride and there will always be one person with an instant smile on their face. I believe he is a particularly handsome specimen, but I might be biased, as he has stolen my heart.

This is why I chose to put a photo of Rufus with this post. Hoping that as you look at him and read my words, that I am able to also bring a smile to your face and a twinkle in your heart.

Do you smile at strangers? Have you ever had a stranger say just the right words you needed to hear? I would love to hear your experience.

If you haven’t, I invite you to try. It can be awkward when someone does not smile back, but carry on, because even then you might have changed something for that person in that moment.

For more posts on different aspects of my journey and other thoughts, check my blog: ‘It’s not all happiness and coconuts’ - www.pelagiapais.com/blog

It makes a difference to me, to hear from you. If any of my posts has touched you in any way or made a difference in your day/life/way of thinking, I would love to hear something from you. A brief note, a comment, an emoticon, in private or in public, would be most welcome. Thank you for being here.