What I’ve Learned from a Smile

I was driving recently and I got to a red light. I pulled up behind the car in front of me and a little boy stuck his head out the window as he smiled and waved at me. This instantly brought a smile to my face as I waved back at him. I couldn’t help but smile. In that moment, he showed me who I was. In that moment, he seemed more like me than I was. How do we let ourselves get so far away sometimes?

 

There is a place within us that we can navigate from. It’s a place that moves freely and sees all things, peripherally and immediate. It carries the big picture yet it is focused on the moment’s task. It’s a loving vibration that is patient, whimsical, and understanding. There is another place that exists and it survives on negative emotion, jealousy, drama, and destruction. It’s a skeptical and worrisome place. Both of these centers are important and serve us for different situations; however if we mistake one of these places for being “the way,” we’ve then added side blinders to our peripheral vision. Both can exist in a useful and healthy manner if built on a foundation of love.

 

Sometimes we need to demolish old homes. Perhaps the foundation is secure, but we’ve neglected the structure of the build. Mother Nature and Father Time test the integrity of our home. That’s for damn sure. If and when the storm comes, we need a solid foundation to fall back on when all else is ripped away.

 

I’ve had failures and rejections. I’ve received bad news and have been ill. All of these things have tested my character and my faith. They’ve challenged me to let go as if they were preparation for the next level of understanding. I’ve had moments when I lost sight of who I was, and I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned faith. And when I say faith I don’t mean a rigid set of rules—I’m speaking directly about the source of life. These are dark moments. These are moments that seem never-ending, but all of a sudden a little boy in the car ahead smiles at you and you’re back.

 

Onward.

 

 

Photo: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/360569513893643368/