I like to think of myself as a kind person.

Not super kind.

Like, I’m not going to be going too far out of my way to help those in need. I’m not hopping on board planes to deliver supplies to the latest casualties of global warming. I’m not inviting unhoused folks to sleep on our back patio.

But still.

I’m kind.

Or so I thought.

The other day, Melissa and I were hanging out in a restaurant, waiting for our food. We weren’t at a table, we were sitting by the door. Because we’d ordered take out. (We weren’t just sitting by the door, hoping they’d give us some food. Because they were so kind.)

As we were hanging out, waiting for our food, a woman with two small kids walked into the restaurant. They walked by us and, as they did so, one of the kids smiled and waved at me.

I was so caught off guard, I was so lost in thought about whatever I was lost in thought about, I didn’t smile back.

After they passed by, I was totally bummed.

A little kid smiled and waved at me and I didn’t smile and wave back! What a missed opportunity! I’m sure I had Resting Z Face, which is probably totally terrifying for a little kid. I hope I didn’t scar them for life! 

In spite of my internal tripping, I was also elevated by the exchange.

A little kid smiled and waved at me! How beautiful is that! There’s so much good and joy in the world if I just remain open to it. Note to self: Stay open!

As I sat there, I thought about my own Smiling and Waving game. Up until that moment, my S&W game was very specific.

I smile and wave at people when Melissa and I are taking our morning walk. I smile (but don’t usually wave) at people when we’re walking down the sidewalk. I smile (but never wave) at people who are helping me in a store or restaurant. And I smile (and usually wave) at people I know.

That’s it. Outside of that, people get my Resting Z Face which, as established above, is potentially horrifying to small children. And pets. And people who are already having a bad day.

So right there in that restaurant, sitting and waiting for our food, I vowed to step up my Smiling and Waving game.

I decided to expand my horizons. To smile at waaaaaaay more people. Random folks, out there in the world, folks who maybe need a little kindness. A little friendliness. They’re waiting for my smile! And maybe even my wave!

Sure, there will probably be folks who will be caught off guard like I was with the little kid who walked into the restaurant. Folks who will deliver me their Resting Face and possibly terrify me.

But then there will be others who will smile and wave back. And I will make their day, just like that little kid did for me.

As I was committing to my elevated S&W game, the mom and the two kids walked by again.

This time I was ready.

I smiled and waved at the little kid. They beamed back at me. My heart glowed.

Such small gestures generating so much love.

And if there’s anything the world needs these days, it’s more love.

Thanks to my latest spiritual teacher, I’m upping my S&W game and generating a little more love all over the place. Love that may inspire others to elevate their S&W game, just like my latest Guru did for me.

Before you know it, everyone will be smiling and waving at each other, all over the world. We’ll barely be able to walk down the sidewalk with all those waving hands flapping in our faces. Joy might overtake heartbreak. Love might overtake sorrow.

Imagine that.

What’s your experience with smiling and waving? Share your comments below!

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