A smile is the most beautiful thing
I just recently reread a book by Dale Carnegie called "How To Win Friends and Influence People."
It's a bit of a dry read, but some of the stories really hit home and overall it's a great book to read if you want to learn how to deal with people.
It has caused me to look at some people in a new way and how people perceive me as well.
I have many faults. I can be moody and I have a temper - one I turn mostly inward, which is not good. I can be sullen and I hold a grudge. Somedays I don't so much as want to even look at people, let alone talk to them. I lock myself inside my grumpy little shell and refuse to open the door to anyone who might be knocking.
But when I'm not feeling that way - when I'm actually jovial and lighthearted and I have a spring in my step, do I like looking at other people when they are sullen and grumpy. No. It rains on my parade. So, that must be what I look like when I'm Miss Grumpypants. It ain't pretty.
A smile goes such a long way. A sincere compliment goes even further. It takes nothing to give a smile, but the reward you get when that person smiles back can sometimes be the greatest gift. And sometimes, all that other person needed that day in their life was for a friendly face to pass on some kindness.
I remember a long time ago, when I worked at McDonald's, a woman came in with her kids, and she was obviously harried. She was in a suit, so I imagine she had a long day at the office, and her kids were hungry and whining. SHe looked tired and fed up and, well, grumpy. I also noticed that her hair was beautifully braided and pinned up, much like the kind of braids you see at Renaissance Faires. It was obvious she took great care of it. So as she was fumbling around in her purse for her wallet, I looked her in the eyes and told her "You're hair looks lovely. I love your braids." She stopped for a second, smiled really wide and gave me a heartfelt thank you. As she walked away with her Happy Meals she was still smiling. I'm smiling now at the memory of it.
A simple smile. A kind word. A sincere gesture. Those things can carry us so far in this weary world.
So if someone snaps at you for no reason or they seem really grumpy, instead of giving back what they're giving you, stop for a second and put yourself in their shoes. What kind of day have they had? Why do they feel this way? And give them a smile. Maybe that's all they really need.
It's a bit of a dry read, but some of the stories really hit home and overall it's a great book to read if you want to learn how to deal with people.
It has caused me to look at some people in a new way and how people perceive me as well.
I have many faults. I can be moody and I have a temper - one I turn mostly inward, which is not good. I can be sullen and I hold a grudge. Somedays I don't so much as want to even look at people, let alone talk to them. I lock myself inside my grumpy little shell and refuse to open the door to anyone who might be knocking.
But when I'm not feeling that way - when I'm actually jovial and lighthearted and I have a spring in my step, do I like looking at other people when they are sullen and grumpy. No. It rains on my parade. So, that must be what I look like when I'm Miss Grumpypants. It ain't pretty.
A smile goes such a long way. A sincere compliment goes even further. It takes nothing to give a smile, but the reward you get when that person smiles back can sometimes be the greatest gift. And sometimes, all that other person needed that day in their life was for a friendly face to pass on some kindness.
I remember a long time ago, when I worked at McDonald's, a woman came in with her kids, and she was obviously harried. She was in a suit, so I imagine she had a long day at the office, and her kids were hungry and whining. SHe looked tired and fed up and, well, grumpy. I also noticed that her hair was beautifully braided and pinned up, much like the kind of braids you see at Renaissance Faires. It was obvious she took great care of it. So as she was fumbling around in her purse for her wallet, I looked her in the eyes and told her "You're hair looks lovely. I love your braids." She stopped for a second, smiled really wide and gave me a heartfelt thank you. As she walked away with her Happy Meals she was still smiling. I'm smiling now at the memory of it.
A simple smile. A kind word. A sincere gesture. Those things can carry us so far in this weary world.
So if someone snaps at you for no reason or they seem really grumpy, instead of giving back what they're giving you, stop for a second and put yourself in their shoes. What kind of day have they had? Why do they feel this way? And give them a smile. Maybe that's all they really need.