Rain

I saw the Angelenos walking hurriedly with their umbrellas. It was raining- something so unknown to them. Nobody would pause or slow down; the faster they could get inside a building, the better.

I looked around and couldn't make eye contact- everyone was looking down. I was looking up, I was smiling. I was happy. Happy to feel the rain.

I sat on a bench. A bench that it's usually taken, but not today because it was wet. I sat there. I smile and promised myself some things. People that passed by seemed confused because of the lonely girl sitting under the rain.

But somehow I think that lonely girl was happier than anyone that walked by her. Point made.

Small Things

I always find a way to whine about not having time in whatever I do. If I'm having a conversation, there's always an "I never have time to sleep" line. If I'm writing, there's usually a "this has been a hectic week" comment; that I positioned strategically just so it's not too obvious that I'm whining (or maybe I have the illusion that it isn't. Shame on me).

But the thing is, even though when my play time (parties, BBQs, Time to Relax, etc) is limited, that doesn't mean that I don't have time to:

• smile to the cashier at the store.


• greet when I walk into a room.


• hold the door open for the person that is coming behind me.


• offer my assistance to those who claim that they need help with their schoolwork.


• make small chat on a line (cafeteria, bookstore, etc).


• give way to the car that's trying to get on my lane.


• And more. . .
  

I know we're all busy but I can assure you, that the things above take less than a minute and you can make A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN A PERSON'S LIFE.

Maybe the cashier at the store is losing faith on people because every customer he/she had to take care of that morning were rude, and here you come with a smile- perhaps the cashier will get some joy out of your kindness. Or maybe the guy in front of you has been waiting in line for a while and really needs to talk about something that happened to him earlier.

These things are really small things but they can always lead to bigger things. See that stranger a few feet away from you? He/she can be your friend with just a smile or a hi. Maybe he/she needs some assurance from you or maybe you will get that from him/her. Or maybe it will just be a nice conversation- but it's only in your hands to make it happen.

The small things you do CAN provide happiness and they cost you nothing- if anything, you'll benefit too. So, will you make time to make a difference today?

Photo taken from http://www.martincreed.com/exhibitions/small_things/MC_SmallThings_03A.jpg