Give Someone a Smile

So, I've decided that Mondays aren't so bad when you don't have to get up early, go to work, or have any form of an agenda. I mean, I guess I have a bit of an agenda because I do have an appointment this morning at 9:30 but I don't mind. Oh, did I mention that said appointment is a massage appointment? Yup :) #happygirl
Basically, our Christmas festivities began on Saturday so I'm not going to do my usual Weekend Recap post because I'm going to save all the Christmas Recap shtuff for the 26th, okay? Okay. Don't cry about it. Follow me on instagram if you're obsessed with me.

Think about your favorite parts about the Christmas Season. Obviously presents, festive clothes, baking, and the yummy food are ah-mazing. Love them - I love all of those things. But my absolute favorite part is not something you can describe. It's not something you can see, touch, or hand to another person so they can tear into the wrapping paper. It's the feeling, and I am not trying to be deep, cheesy, or mushy. I just seriously love the feeling at this time of year.
It's the Christmas music, smiles, happy people, and overall atmosphere that I love. Yes, we can get a little caught up in presents and shopping, which are not the reasons why December 25th is a special day. But people are shopping for the people that they love. They put time, money, and thought into picking out a present and it feels good to give. It feels good to make people happy. It feels good to make people smile.
Last week I was standing in line at Target and the lady in front of me was a total bi-otch. The cashier smiled and said hi, the lady mumbled something back and wouldn't even make eye contact, let alone crack a smile. She was having issues with her debit card and, long story short, ended up swearing while throwing the fake little pen on the credit card machine. The young, brunette, kind cashier was very professional and patient, while I was practically seething watching all of this happen. What I wanted to say was, What is your problem? What could possibly have happened to make your day so horrible that you need to act like that? Have a Merry F***in Christmas, lady.
Of course I didn't say that. Why? Because I'm too kind, nice, and compassionate, among many other attractive qualities :) No, I decided not to say that because maybe she really was having a bad day. Maybe her son died the day before. Maybe she just lost her job. Maybe she was buying granola bars because she doesn't have a home with an oven to cook. Or maybe she's just plain awnry. Either way, the last thing I wanted to do was be more like her. We need to spread cheer and love, even if others are doing whatever they can to be cranky. So instead, when she looked up, I smiled. She didn't smile back but that's ok. Maybe it warmed her heart. Maybe she walked out of the mall in a little better mood than when she walked in. Maybe she allowed herself to hear the Christmas carols and feel that Christmas feeling as she made her way through the hustle and bustle.
And even if it didn't and she doesn't even remember me smiling at her that day, it made me feel good. And it definitely made the cashier feel good when it was finally my turn and I gave her a smile, with very apologetic eyes, and told her Merry Christmas. Tis the season for giving, and giving does not always need to involve gifts, money, or the like. We give presents that cost money because it's fun to buy things for the people that we love. But we can also give time, canned goods, spare change, or a plain-old smile. Give something that will spread around that feeling, because that feeling is the best part at this time of year.
A smile is free to give but it could completely change someone else's day. And they're contagious - think of the chain reaction that your one smile could start.
Plus, it just feels good to smile. Try it.
See what I mean?