Smile

Let us always meet each other with smile,

for the smile is the beginning of love.

~ Mother Teresa

Walking with my toddler feels like walking with a mini Zen-master. Recently he has changed his dark investigative look into a radiant one. And now everybody that passes is treated on a smile followed by a 'Hyee'. The purity of a child that greets everybody with an open mind, without any ulterior motive or judgement, works purifying.

I realize that sometimes my own smile is far from pure. Too often I catch myself with a polite smile, that the longer it persists, becomes a kind of contorted grimace. Or I'm struggling with all kinds of ego related thoughts buzzing in my head that distract me.

But this little boy is showing me what a true smile achieves. I witness how even the grumpiest people in my neighborhood melt and carefully show their own smile. And I realize how powerful a simple smile truly is. How an unconditional smile is it's own reward......Hyee!

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,

but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh