the experiment (you really need to try this.)
this post started out with the illustrious title: 7 ways to ensure a feeling-good mood. and #1 on my list was "smile at people."
but then i realized it deserved a post all its own. let me tell you why. the background
six years ago, for three years straight, twice a week, circumstances found me at green lake.
a lovely little community in seattle. with a small body of water in its midst. and, around the perimeter of the lake, a walking/running/biking path.
[there are lots of beautiful photos of green lake. unfortunately this isn't one of them. but that's my son nicholas, several years ago, remotely driving his self-designed lego land yacht.] i would walk around the lake for an hour. enjoying the scenery, watching the people, getting my exercise.
as an avid analyzer of human nature, i started noticing subtle differences in the way people on the path conducted themselves. some were there for a serious workout. others were there to converse with companions. still others were there to delight in nature. the experiment
one day i decided to conduct an informal study. to determine how friendly a city seattle was, based on this small green lake sample.
it was a simple setup. i would look directly in the eyes of each person that i passed. and smile at them.
the results
the results were interesting.
some would immediately smile back, even say "hi." several actually seemed startled at first, as if they didn't know how to respond. and then about 50% of these would smile back tentatively.
others were too focused on what they were doing to even notice me. a few flat out ignored me and stared back suspiciously. (and men were more likely to smile than women.)
of course, this was obviously not a scientific study. and i'm no researcher. (although i did keep stats which i can't locate now.)
so i am still left pondering the reactions of the participants. the implications
who knows what influence i may have had on these people?
were any of them perhaps in a dark place that day? did they feel uplifted by another human being's kind gesture?
what green lake ripple effect did i instigate? did these people feel encouraged by my overture? enough to smile at the next person that they passed?
i don't know. i'll never know.
i do know how i felt though. i felt happy.
it was impossible not to, with all the smiling i was doing. and, when someone smiled back, the connection between us literally made my day.
i not only felt happy. i felt enthused about living. i felt more energetic and purposeful. as if i indeed held an important slot in the bigger context. the takeaway
such an easy, uncomplicated path to well-being.
who will you smile at today? how will you impact their lives? and what personal benefits will you derive?
try the experiment. give it a chance.
and let me know how it turns out. [maxbutton id="1"]