Smile a little, change your life
Does kindness take time and money? At
the fullest potential and if taken to the furthest
extent, then along with dedication and
effort, yes it can. The reality is that more
often than not it takes a minimal contribution
from an individual to make a world of
difference.
I have always tried to make it a habit to say please and thank you whether someone goes out of his or her way with a selfless gesture or simply to smile and be friendly when interacting with people. It is hard, though, in this fast-paced world that is constantly on the go, naturally as humans we slip up. Those moments when a stranger holds the door, smiles and says thank you or holds the bus for you — they all make my day just a little bit brighter, even though it may be such a small act of a few seconds. Not looking for acknowledgment, just sharing the prospect that some smiles could very well change us. From the way we act to the way we feel, it affects all those around us.
It is not necessarily that people choose not be friendly or kind, it is definitely harder to reach out to strangers when we are all feeling stuck in the rut of an endless routine. Sometimes we do not even notice that we are not smiling or showing our thanks, yet we not only need those simple and random acts of kindness but also to take those acts and pay it forward. When you reciprocate a kind action, it not only makes you feel good, but hopefully you are sharing that kindness with at least one other person. It may seem pointless for one person to take that step alone, but one step leads to the next until you are running.We cannot complain about feeling isolated in society while doing nothing, while being stagnant and resistant to change. Lead by example and encourage others to take the initiative to lessen the animosity and harshness of the world.
Now I am not pretending to be perfect or to be a sparkling ray of sunshine 24/7; in fact, most times I am tired and withdrawn in my thoughts. Yet this makes it even more apparent how uplifting a simple act can be. You do not have to change your lifestyle or even go far out of the way but look at that fellow student in the hall, that teacher after a lecture or that bus driver on the way home and say thank you. You never know how that can change someone's day.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I have always tried to make it a habit to say please and thank you whether someone goes out of his or her way with a selfless gesture or simply to smile and be friendly when interacting with people. It is hard, though, in this fast-paced world that is constantly on the go, naturally as humans we slip up. Those moments when a stranger holds the door, smiles and says thank you or holds the bus for you — they all make my day just a little bit brighter, even though it may be such a small act of a few seconds. Not looking for acknowledgment, just sharing the prospect that some smiles could very well change us. From the way we act to the way we feel, it affects all those around us.
It is not necessarily that people choose not be friendly or kind, it is definitely harder to reach out to strangers when we are all feeling stuck in the rut of an endless routine. Sometimes we do not even notice that we are not smiling or showing our thanks, yet we not only need those simple and random acts of kindness but also to take those acts and pay it forward. When you reciprocate a kind action, it not only makes you feel good, but hopefully you are sharing that kindness with at least one other person. It may seem pointless for one person to take that step alone, but one step leads to the next until you are running.We cannot complain about feeling isolated in society while doing nothing, while being stagnant and resistant to change. Lead by example and encourage others to take the initiative to lessen the animosity and harshness of the world.
Now I am not pretending to be perfect or to be a sparkling ray of sunshine 24/7; in fact, most times I am tired and withdrawn in my thoughts. Yet this makes it even more apparent how uplifting a simple act can be. You do not have to change your lifestyle or even go far out of the way but look at that fellow student in the hall, that teacher after a lecture or that bus driver on the way home and say thank you. You never know how that can change someone's day.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
