Spidey’s Serene Sunday #414 – Smile

12 Feb 2023 36 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: , , , , ,

“Peace begins with a smile.”

Mother Teresa

What a beautiful quote, Spidey!

I’m all about the smile. That is me.

When I started uni, before we all got to know one another, I was known as ‘that smiley curly-haired girl from Birmingham’.

And, even now, you will rarely see me without a smile on my face. It may be small and contemplative or wide and manic as I navigate through a crazy day with the kids at school, but it is ever-present.

If you see me without one, you know that Ritu is broken, that day. That is very rare.

You see, I firmly believe that just the act of smiling can change the way your emotions are playing out in your mind. You can alter how you feel to a more positive direction with a smile.

And then there is the rest of the world.

I’ve always got a smile for others.

It is funny to see how strangers react, though.

A smile is the most natural form of communication, yet some people think you are a lunatic for smiling at them.

I’m not talking about a big toothy grin beaming its way to them, but just a small upturn of the lips. An acknowledgement, if you will.

A smile has started all manner of little connections in my life.

My favourite one is with John, an older gentleman. As I navigated the aisles in Asda one Saturday morning after dropping Lil Man at his football training many years ago, I passed the same faces as we all crossed each other’s paths multiple times. I’d smile if there was eye contact, but most of the time, most people’s eyes were either scanning shelves or looking down, just getting on with their shopping.

There was one man who beamed back at me every time. And after the third or fourth time, he stopped me. “Excuse me,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but thank you for the smiles. Nowadays, people don’t have the time or inclination to smile, and it makes a pleasant change.”

We would pass each other every Saturday for many months and always stop at some place for a chat. I learned about his adult children and wife, and he asked about my family. He met the kids on the odd shopping trip. One day, he said, “I have something for you!” He pulled out an old photo of a church and said, “You must show this to your son. This was his original school around 400 years ago!”

He asked how to send it to me, so I could show Lil Man. So we ended up Facebook friends, too! Over the next year or so, we would bump into one another and have a catch-up. I learned about his wife being ill, and he supported my blog and book release, too.

Obviously, Covid hit. Shopping trips were few and far between, but we still passed the odd message on Facebook. He lost his wife and has had bouts of illness, but we still stay in touch.

That’s the power of a smile.

So, Peeps, what are your thoughts on smiles? 😊

36 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Jennie
    Feb 14, 2023 @ 22:10:34

    Yes, yes, yes!!! A smile can change the world. Such a small yet powerful thing. I’m glad you were known as the girl with the smiley face. I love the story of you and the older gentleman, and that started with a smile. I remember the smile with a child across the room decades ago at nap, we were the only two people awake. It changed my teaching. Wonderful post, Ritu! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more
    Feb 13, 2023 @ 19:49:52

    You are a wonderful role model in many ways, Sis! Best wishes, Michael

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. TanGental
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 21:28:06

    yep, I, too am a local weirdy…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Maggie
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 16:52:21

    What a wonderful post, Ritu. I love smiles – they uplift everyone. Children smile so effortlessly, but adults seem apprehensive to share that small glimpse of goodheartedness. Smiles are always welcome and worth sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. SC Skillman
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 16:01:54

    I agree with you absolutely. A smile can be so powerful, and entirely transform a situation, a relationship, or the way you feel about someone.

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 14:45:01

    Wishing you miles of smiles!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Phil Taylor
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 12:17:39

    I agree. The power of a simple smile is undeniable

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. willowdot21
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 11:06:10

    I love to smile too, and yes lots of people give me strange looks but I keep smiling 😊😊😊

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. davidprosser
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 10:24:51

    A smile can often defuse a situation before it begins and like a Hug can often make someone’s day.A smile is often spreadable too, moving from one person to another. Both make life more than just bearable.My niece once stod i thhe centre of Llandudno with a sign round her neck saying Free Hugs. At the start of the day most people looked at her with incredulity or suuspicion and there were few takers.Ass the day ppogressed there were more brave souls who tried it and left smiling. By the end of he day people were acknowledging each other with a smile up an down the street .

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Sadje
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 10:05:10

    This is a wonderful incentive to smile Ritu; making new friends

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. joylennick
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 09:47:31

    Why am I not surprised by what you wrote Ritu… Suh a nice story. Lucky to be loved by my parents and with a mother born with a smile on her face…I just naturally followed suit. While initially shy, I liked most people, and at college was often called ‘Smiler.’ It is so much better than a scowl, any day! Cheers, xx

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Destiny
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 08:29:42

    Power of smile… It’s always amazing. Such uplifting thoughts Ritu. Thanks for the share and reminder too🤍

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Karen J Mossman
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 08:19:23

    What a beautiful and uplifting post. I quite agree. I smile at everyone I make eye contact with or say hello. If it’s reciprocated, it’s a lovely feeling of my making contact with another person.
    This wasn’t always so. Seven years ago we lived in the big city and I never made eye contact or smiled at anyone. Now I’m in a small community, it’s a different world and I love it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. beth
    Feb 12, 2023 @ 08:15:17

    amazing power of that smile, look what it led to

    Liked by 1 person

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