Smile Because You Can
By Ingrid Muñoz
I was sitting – meditating – outside and I was thinking about how trees sort of get haircuts too. And they can 'lose their hair' like we do. Some lose more than others over time. Many even have 'bald spots' and still, they look beautiful for what they are…
It was at this point in my train of thoughts that I realized I was smiling. At least, I thought I was...I couldn't really see myself to confirm but I was sure I was smiling because it wasn't just any old smile. Physically speaking, it was a miniscule smile, almost invisible, almost completely internal. But it was a truer smile than most, because it served no greater purpose.
This smile wasn't fabricated or forced. It wasn't faked because it wasn't even expected. It wasn't meant to be seen by anyone. It wasn't one of those smiles we give to others for various reasons. I'm not sure it was even meant for myself. But there I was, I was smiling to myself. Or maybe at myself? I don't know. All I know is that I was sitting there smiling and I almost didn't notice it. When I did, I could feel it, and it felt like a whole new kind of smile for me.