Have you ever felt the immense joy from just gazing, understanding, watching a person smile. It is definitely a joy like no other.
The other day on my way to work i stopped at a traffic light alongside a school bus. As i was waiting for the light to change, i looked up at the windows of the bus. There were these two little girls who had their pencil boxes open and were showing each other the contents.
My mind just rewound to years back about how easy it was for us to be happy about some many things in our lives. I imagined their conversation as i watched their faces break into smiles. "That one is so nice, naa. 5 rupees only. Come, we'll share this 'pen-pencil' today." They laughed so happily i felt myself break into a smile thinking: "enjoy every bit of your time, dears. there's nothing else in life quite like it."
Another night I was driving home and I was at another traffic intersection and the signal was not on. I stopped and noticed a scooter coming from the right with two women sitting on it. They slowed down too obviously thinking I was going ahead. I nodded that they should proceed. However, the women driving gestured for me to go. This went on for a bit. When i finally inched forward, so did they. Surprised at each other's actions, she broke into the most wonderful smile which I reciprocated at the same time. She did go ahead, the smile never leaving her face. Something about it was so incredibly sweet.
Later that week, at church there was a baptism of a really cute little baby girl. The girl started making the loudest noises she could. From loud gurgles to earnest proclamations, you couldnt help but smile when a baby makes noises as beautiful as that. I looked to my right and i found I wasn't the only one. This woman had her eyebrows arched, listening intently and smiling once, twice, thrice one after another. She was loving just listening to the sounds of the baby.
Today, as I write this at the internet centre, I'm thinking back trying to recall whats making me write all this. I look beyond the computer and I see this teenage girl sitting typing at another computer and as she hits a few keys keeps on smiling and breaks into laughter a few times. Just chatting (obviously) but finding so much joy in it. Then it hits me. IT is a unique feeling just gazing at people smile. Its wonderful and I realised it is enough to overcome you and make forget about everything else. There really is so much beauty in the world.
The other day on my way to work i stopped at a traffic light alongside a school bus. As i was waiting for the light to change, i looked up at the windows of the bus. There were these two little girls who had their pencil boxes open and were showing each other the contents.
My mind just rewound to years back about how easy it was for us to be happy about some many things in our lives. I imagined their conversation as i watched their faces break into smiles. "That one is so nice, naa. 5 rupees only. Come, we'll share this 'pen-pencil' today." They laughed so happily i felt myself break into a smile thinking: "enjoy every bit of your time, dears. there's nothing else in life quite like it."
Another night I was driving home and I was at another traffic intersection and the signal was not on. I stopped and noticed a scooter coming from the right with two women sitting on it. They slowed down too obviously thinking I was going ahead. I nodded that they should proceed. However, the women driving gestured for me to go. This went on for a bit. When i finally inched forward, so did they. Surprised at each other's actions, she broke into the most wonderful smile which I reciprocated at the same time. She did go ahead, the smile never leaving her face. Something about it was so incredibly sweet.
Later that week, at church there was a baptism of a really cute little baby girl. The girl started making the loudest noises she could. From loud gurgles to earnest proclamations, you couldnt help but smile when a baby makes noises as beautiful as that. I looked to my right and i found I wasn't the only one. This woman had her eyebrows arched, listening intently and smiling once, twice, thrice one after another. She was loving just listening to the sounds of the baby.
Today, as I write this at the internet centre, I'm thinking back trying to recall whats making me write all this. I look beyond the computer and I see this teenage girl sitting typing at another computer and as she hits a few keys keeps on smiling and breaks into laughter a few times. Just chatting (obviously) but finding so much joy in it. Then it hits me. IT is a unique feeling just gazing at people smile. Its wonderful and I realised it is enough to overcome you and make forget about everything else. There really is so much beauty in the world.