New Shoes

Every once in a while something happens that makes your day.

It doesn’t happen often enough for most of us.  It never happens at all for some of us, but when it does, it is a time for happiness, for reflection.  Oh it can be a small thing.  Someone may notice your new shoes and say “nice shoes.”  Something that innocent, that small may make you smile all day long.  You will look at your shoes every five minutes from that point on.  You pass in front of the shop windows as you walk down the street looking admirably at yourself in the reflection, at the zip in your step,  the mirrored image of a confident, purposeful person;  quick arrogant glances to your new shoes.   Someone may compliment you on your hair, your tie, your smile.  It doesn’t matter what is said or about what as long as it is gracious and kind.  With such a kind word, a sweet smile, a positive gesture, you realize how wonderful life can be.  Oh such a small thing can transform your day.  It gives you the courage to say nice things to others, to make them smile just as someone made you smile. What a glorious life it is!!

Every once in awhile.

Then there are the other days.  The days that we experience more often than not.  The days when every idiot, every maniac, every sinister person within twenty miles crosses our path. They leer and stare and lurk and size you up for who knows what.  They honk and yell and distort their faces in anger and ugliness. They push and shove and force themselves to the front of whatever line or attraction that interests them.  They never compliment you, never smile, never hint of kindness, or love.  They live only to ridicule, to oppress, to dismember any remnant of happiness that ever welled within them.  You run home, bolt the door behind you, panting, you close the drapes and kiss your cat and thank God you are not one of those evil people that roam the earth like dark clouds before a storm.

Those other days.

However, for me those days don’t matter.  If they are kind, they are kind.  If they are horrific, they are horrific.  What matters most is how I live them.

Would I meet smiling faces or distorted ones?  Whichever they were, I would embrace them.  They are powerless to change me unless I gave them permission, and I am not about to do that.  So, those faces can smile and I will smile back and they can frown and I will smile back and those faces can look at me oddly or lovingly and mine will shine back at them, with love. For you see, I am that person that notices your new shoes or your tie or your new hair style and gives you a smile, and try as you may, you cannot change me.  Besides, why would you want to, I just made your day!

John Malcolm Pouch, 2000