Smile

Because I live near water, in my world summer means boats. All kinds of boats, from canoes to small fishing boats to impressive inboards. There’s even a boat that can take two dozen or so people across from one side of the lake to the other for a few dollars, a trip that takes almost a half hour. 

            As I was walking along the shore one day recently I saw a gentleman in an electric-powered mobility chair approach and easily manoeuver the incline of the ramp to the boat. I suspect this was not the first time he was making the trip!

            What I found interesting was that he had a wide smile for everyone else on board as he greeted them.  He cannot get around easily, yet he did not let that prevent him from smiling, enjoying life and taking a nice boat ride on a glorious summer afternoon.

            Would it not be great if everyone made smiling a priority instead of frowning as so many people do? To quote Charlie Chaplin: “You’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.”

            I certainly agree, but these days it’s especially important to smile because you never know who is taking your picture since everyone seems to have a phone that is also a camera. Or perhaps someone is scanning your face with facial recognition software. We are told it is useful for a variety of reasons from public safety and security to people counting, but I am sure someone somewhere will find more nefarious uses.

            Not much we can do about it as technology continues to progress at blinding speed. So smile as you enjoy life because you never know when you’ll be on camera, candid or otherwise.