If Everybody Did

Today I met several smiling people, each wishing "Happy New Year" as we passed on the sidewalk, passed through doorways, passed through life. It reminded me of Jo Ann Stover's 1989 classic, "If Everybody Did" - except the opposite.

Stover's little book introduces children to the concept of "cause and effect" by stretching their imaginations to visualize what would happen if everybody did things like pull off a bud? ... jump in mud? ... slam the door? ... stomp and roar?

Each negative behavior is seemingly innocent, until "everybody did", and then the illustrations make it clear that if more than a few people acted in these ways, the results would be disastrous.

I thought, as I smiled at another happy face, that I'd like to commission an artist to illustrate, "If Everybody Smiled," because as each stranger shared their grin, my day grew brighter and brighter. Smiles don't cost a dime, don't require any investment of time, and yet have a contagiously positive impact upon the recipient.

Now, as I turn off the lights on January 2, 2013, I am filled with gratitude for the handfuls of happy people that passed my way today. I can still see each one of your smiles ~ though you were strangers ~ and each was a unique blessing to me. Thank you.