MARGARET BOYLAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an act of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
The above is a quote from Mother Teresa, and I think it sums up perfectly the type of evangelistic lifestyle we as Catholics should live each and everyday.
I feel as if this is one of the most basic things, like we should all know that, but it’s also probably the most forgotten thing, aside from not acting with road rage and basically anything that’s non-Christian like.
Think about the most joyful person you know. Think about how you feel when you’re around them. Think about how much better you feel after a conversation with them. Why? Because instantly that happiness affects your own demeanor.
Think about it: what attracts us to another person? What is the first thing you notice about a person? It’s normally a smile. One smile can affect someone’s mood and go from person to person. It’s a ripple effect.
It’s easy to be persuaded by another’s demeanor. A happy person will naturally cheer you up, which is why it’s so important to be that light to somebody else.
Especially in the wake of this tragedy that struck our campus over fall break and affected so many lives, it is more important than ever to smile and reach out to those who might be hurting. You never know what kind of hurt another person is dealing with. You have no idea what a smile could do to lift their spirits.
It is such an easy gesture, you would think more people would do it. But very few people do, and that is truly sad.
So today, if you think about it, smile at someone you don’t know or only know slightly. It is Franciscan; we are overly friendly, but it’s that extra push you need. Being an introvert, I don’t like coming out of my comfort zone. However, it’s a necessary push needed.
Mother Teresa’s message is simple, but it’s powerful. To smile is an act of love. Love is the basic foundation of our faith; love is what keeps us going. So I challenge you to smile at someone new today. Smile at someone who looks like they need it. We’re called to come out of our comfort zone, and coming out of our comfort zone can start with a smile.