Smiling at someone, whether they be the starkest stranger or the closest friend, is a gift unlike any other.
I think of the security guards at my apartment complex when I was living in Mexico for the last 6 months of 2023.
Juan-Manuel (Johnny). Augustine. Francisco. Flavio. Among many other incredible guards.
Every time I would see Flavio outside of Building 2, he would smile at me, we would shake hands, and he would say “a la orden”.
For a while I didn’t understand what that meant.
But many weeks later, I did.
It’s a popular phrase meaning “of service” or “at your command”. Flavio didn’t just say it to say it either. He served in the Mexican military for more than a decade. So, he truly embodied “a la orden” – both in his service to his country and in his service and smiles to me every single day.
Smiling is a small action, but it’s a great act of service.
It takes one second to raise the corners of your mouth and show your front teeth. That one second can stick with someone for one day, one week, maybe even a lifetime.
Flavio’s smile is still on my mind 6+ months and counting.
When it’s genuine, the feeling of a smile is a feeling of trust and recognition. Not the Hollywood type of recognition. No. It’s different. I’m referring to the recognition of connecting with another soul… of seeing another person for who they are.
We never know what other people may be going through within their life. I think of my friend Gabbie and the essay I wrote about her. She was going through so much pain – far beyond what others saw in her everyday, personable, public facing personality.
But, as the adage goes, “a smile can go a long way”.
Imagine how much smiling can brighten a someone’s day who may be experiencing pain unbeknownst to what others can see on the surface.
An act as simple as smiling can truly go such a long way that it can even save someone’s life in that moment.
Isn’t that true for all of life? The things that we are freely given (our bodies, minds, souls, etc.) can have the most impact on others, when used wisely and lovingly.
That’s why such things are free. They are freely given to us… and we are meant to freely give them away as well.
Think about the joy that comes from seeing a baby smile and laugh. You just want to grab the baby’s face and squeeze its cheeks – just as all the grandmas talk about.
The baby’s emotion is pure as can be. It makes an entire group of people stop, stare, and joyfully laugh alongside the baby’s innocence.
Juan-Manuel (Johnny). Augustine. Francisco. Flavio.
All of these men had a child-like innocence in their greetings towards me – and everyone else in that complex.
Their job was to be security guards and protect others. But they extended that duty far more than the average security guard.
They protected their smiles.
No matter what may have been going on in their lives, those men gave their biggest smile and greetings to me whenever I passed them.
What would your life look like if you served others, the way Juan-Manuel (Johnny), Augustine, Francisco, and Flavio served me and everyone else in that complex?
I challenge you to smile at one person, everyday, for the next 30 days. Even if that “one person” is yourself. Yes. Go ahead.
If you truly take it that way, smile at yourself in the mirror for the next 30 days. It will also positively change your life and outlook on life.
Watch what happens when smiling. It may help you, just as much as it will help the other person.
I find myself simply scratching the surface when I complete my first drafts. But thanks to
HUGE thanks to Baxter for all his help on this essay. Check out his amazing writings, if you haven’t already:
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