i often notice people -- well, usually lawyers. older lawyers, especially, because those are the people around whom i spend my days -- who smile only when someone important is looking at them. whether that important person is a client, a juror, or more often a prospective client or business associate. smiling as they hand over their business cards. hoping to drum up new business. hoping to make money. hoping to appear to have charisma. hoping to appear as more than an empty, workaholic shell.
i don't ever want to be like that, for the record. 'ya hear me?
i don't want to ever be the type of person who only shines, who only smiles, as a performance. i want to shine most when i am around people i see every day. i want to shine when i'm giving directions to an old woman on the street, when i'm asking a paralegal to do something for me, when i'm ordering a coffee at starbucks.
everybody deserves a smile, not just those people from whom we want something.
and sure, some days it's tough to smile. sometimes it takes a little extra effort, and you may have to force a little bit of light. but the surprising part is, when you do try, before you know it, it becomes genuine.
just something that's been on my mind.
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2 comments:
You were born with shine, my friend. You must shine to make up for those other people's handicaps!
I hear ya. ;)
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