I think that right now many are struggling. Struggling to find themselves, struggling to figure out what’s next, where do they contribute, where does their life matter. Maybe the key is we all matter no matter how much or how little we’re doing. Every interaction we have with another human being matters. Each little encounter, no matter how small, impacts the tapestry of life. Smiling at someone walking past you. Swearing at someone walking past you. Even just ignoring someone walking past you can change everything in an instant. Either for you or for them or perhaps for both.
I know the briefest of smiles can change my day. I was driving along the highway one day. Sort of numb in my life at that moment. I noticed a man on a motorcycle just behind me and to my right. As he came up beside me he turned to me and gave me the biggest grin. He just stared at me and smiled. It lasted only moments but it felt longer than that. There was something so genuine and so pleasant in his smile that it made me smile right back and just completely lightened me. It made me laugh out loud and lifted me up in some way. It stayed with me the rest of the day and I know the smile on my face from that moment influenced all I came in contact with as well. It was like passing on joy throughout the day from one smile to the next. I’m sure that man had no idea the impact he would have on me. I still remember his face to this day and just thinking about it all brings a smile to me even now and this incident happened years ago.
So maybe I’m contributing without trying. I’m sure this man wasn’t trying. He was just being himself in a moment of his own joy on his motorcycle. He passed it along to me and I in turn to others. Perhaps that’s all we’re meant to do. Pass joy on to each other and inspire each other to more joy and more self expression.
