As a student, having four 2-hour lectures in a day is something we dread. But you can't avoid it when the time comes.
During the course of our lectures, I and my friend decided to get some snacks to refresh ourselves. While my friend was buying her snack, a child beggar came to me and asked for some money. I felt for him as the sun was scorching. Imagine being in the sun for hours. (It was the kind of sun that made you feel like your skin is on fire). I then gave him some money. After a few minutes while still waiting for my friend, this same kid came over again asking me for money. I was never the type to shout or react on impulse but at that moment, anger suddenly enveloped me. I said 'Haven't I given you money before?' He flinched and apologized.
At that moment, I felt bad reacting that way because for a person who has been in a crowded place, he wouldn't know the particular people who had given him and those who had not. But to right my wrong and at the same time, save myself and the kid the feeling of sadness, I called him back, smiled and got him a drink. I watched the little boy sprint away happily. His happiness was really infectious. I noticed I felt better and enthusiastic going for my next class.
Pondering on it, I realized that that's how life is. We tend to act impulsively when stressed not considering whether it's the right thing we're doing or not. Yes, when you're tired and stressed, you won't even think before acting but when you can, try taking a deep breath before reacting. Something as miniscule as one deep breath can stop you from overreacting. In life, one little thought before an action can save you the stress of wishing you had acted differently. You don't have to break the bank before you make someone smile. A smile from you can liven up someone's day. A little gesture of love can lift someone's spirit. One act of goodness towards others can end up being what makes your day. Others don't have to be on the receiving end of your frustrations and irrational behaviors.
Your day might not have gone as splendidly as you wanted it to but that doesn't mean you can't lift someone else's spirit. To be honest, I wonder how people who go around being unnecessarily mean feel. Do you feel proud of yourself for ruining someone else's mood? Life may not be going smoothly for you but you don't have to be the definition of your problems. As the saying goes, a mean person can never be happy because their negativity consumes them. The act of smiling itself can make you feel better. Are you feeling that your smile isn't pretty? Snap out of that and smile. Your smile is definitely pretty. There was a time in my life when I stopped smiling. Why? Because someone once said 'With this smile of yours, you should be advertising for a toothpaste company'. That held me down as I took the comment negatively. I believed my teeth showed too much whenever I smiled. As time passed, I discovered the positivity hidden in the comment 'Your teeth looks so pretty whenever you smile'. That has been my drive ever since. In life, there is always a positive side to everything. It is left for you to figure it out yourself. Be the better person to others. Be that light for others. Little things matter.
LEARN TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF LIFE.
SMILE!馃槉
Header Image was taken by me
