Where Have All the Smiles Gone?

The “Original” Mike Smith

I’ve been walking in the morning most of my adult life and have enjoyed walking in many towns and cities on this, and other continents. I have never seen SO LITTLE personal positive interactions between morning walkers as I see today. I remember experiencing many “HELLOS” and “GOOD MORNING’S” from SMILING HAPPY LOOKING STRANGERS on my morning walk in many of the small towns or city neighborhoods where I was going to speak. I always offered one of these THANK YOU PHRASES: “Back at you! You know our day goes the way the corners of our mouth turns!” or “Thanks for the SMILE! It’s good for our faces!” or “Thanks, I heard it takes only one tenth of our face muscles to build the smile and a lot more to frown.” or “Yes! Thank you! I always ended with “HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY!” It felt great! I didn’t know anyone, many were walking or working in the morning and were FRIENDLY SHARING SMILES!

But now on daily walks I cannot help but notice how few OTHER WALKERS acknowledge the presence of anyone they pass. Too busy on their phones or earphones to notice or say HI to other people.

DOG WALKERS today have similar interactions to those of the past and often bring forth a SMILE as they work to handle their dog. But NO DOG people rarely interact with others they don’t know.

I understand and SMILE at those busy on their phone but (Behold Unvarnished Truth); if they were walking just carrying the phone and I offer a “Good Morning” with a smile, shouldn’t they respond? Some do but, most don’t. What has happened to our human state of connectivity?

One day on a walk I encountered 16 people walking toward me on the sidewalk around the PARK at different locations. Six had one or more dogs on leashes and 5 of those responded to my “Good Morning!” with a pause and a smile, returning my gesture. Of the 11 without dogs only 3 were on their phones and when I said “Good Morning” they thought and smiled and nodded. Then they quickly adjusted their faces back to the HARD LOOK. The other 8 simply hurried past and NO ONE SMILED but me. They simply ignored that there was anyone else on the sidewalk.

We need to connect and remember to respond and pass on to others DAILY SMILES. Let’s create an acronym or two for the word SMILE to help bring back more SMILES and happy faces.

Here are a few I have come up with:

1. Smiling Motivates Interesting, Lasting, Enthusiasm.
2. Smiling Makes Indifference Lose Energy.
3. Smiling Motivates Increasingly Lasting Experiences.
4. Smiling Makes Indifference Leave Effortlessly.

These might help create a little more happiness and success in this modern time! SO, LET’S ALL SMILE EVEN MORE!

Since I am a rhymer at heart, here is the SMILE rhyme I created decades ago and promoted in schools around the continent for several years. I HOPE THIS CAN HELP YOU BRING MANY SMILES BACK ON YOUR WALK!

You know it isn’t easy when things look bleak and dark
to curl your lips and tell your eyes it’s time for them to SPARK,
So through life’s troubles, ride behind a SMILING FACE!
Just smile and pass it warmly on, you’ll build a better place!
Yes, SMILING on your outside will warm OTHERS’ insides so,
And help them want to smile and make their faces glow!
Let this be a daily task, to think this little thought
And tell yourself to smile and help OTHERS SMILE A LOT!

– Mike

Who is the “Original” Mike Smith?

The “Original” Mike Smith is a certified professional speaker, leadership and sales trainer, author, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in the Education market.  His messages apply to people in all walks of life. In his speaking career, Mike has addressed over four million people, sharing his sense of humor and passion about life, the value and techniques for positive self-talk, and an understanding of  personal responsibility. More

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