Smiling is very important. If we are not able to smile, then the world will not have peace. It is not by going out for a demonstration against nuclear missiles that we can bring about peace. It is with our capacity of smiling, breathing, and being peace that we can make peace.–Thich Nhat Hanh.
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So right Don. In some ways I’ve given up trying to navigate all of the disputes and factions of catholic life…just trying to be gracious and smiling goes a long way.
This reminds me of the kid a few weeks ago: I was meeting my husband for dinner at our favorite hole-in-the-wall place a couple of train stops from my office, and I was late. As I waited for the light to change so I could cross the street, I was impatient, and I’m sure I was frowning, but then my eyes slid from the light to the kid waiting on the other side. He wasn’t waiting for the light, but just standing there, looking at me, frowning slightly, and suddenly, I knew that he was echoing me. So I gave him a bit of a grin, and slowly, he echoed that back, and waved at me as I crossed the street. When I’m tempted to impatience now, I think of that kid and how he allowed me to greet my husband with a big smile rather than a frown.