Cheerfulness

my weapon of choice

I woke up this morning and remembered something someone had done in a virtual meeting that I had attended yesterday. It left my pride a little bruised. I came up with a myriad of explanations for this behaviour, but I could not let it go and felt the telltale wheels of negativity spinning and drawing me in. Then I brought the person's face to my mind as I prayed, I asked for the strength to show this dear soul love and tenderness. The heaviness then dissipated and I was able to smile. I have often read in books that support the use of the virtues in one's daily life, about praying one's fears, anguish, hurts and anger, but I have never done it before and actually felt that I did not know how to do it. Cheerfulness reminds me that life is fleeting and that the things that happen are really trivial and ought not to be held on to as they weigh me down. People often compliment me on my smile. It brings them joy and lifts their spirits, this is what I have learned from what they have told me. To bring others a semblance of joy is a precious gift and a service I can offer to as many as possible. It costs me nothing and expends little energy. My smile is wider and genuine when I let my burdens go, and look to the world with optimism and hope. It is not always received as a gift, as some are suspicious or resentful when I appear with a face wreathed in a smile. I used to think that this was a reflection of something about me, and my smile would immediately drop to a more sedate and sober facial expression. But I have learned that that is not who I am, I love to practice cheerfulness in this way and their reaction is not about me, it is only about them. I cannot control how it is received, my only responsibility is to offer them an authentic smile. There is hidden in my smile the confidence and gifts of my ancestors, their wise ways, their pride in who I am and their solace and comfort when aggressions come my way. As a spiritual warrior, it is my most effective weapon.