the magic of a smile
Antoine de St. Exupéry was a famous French author. He was also a fighter pilot who fought in the Spanish Civil War against the fascists, before dying in World War II while fighting Nazi Germany.
He had a harrowing but no less fascinating encounter as a prisoner of war. He was captured by his fascist enemies and thrown into a cell. He was told grimly that he would be executed the next day, a fate he confirmed for himself as he watched other POWs being led away by firing squad.
Hearing the shots coming from the rear of the prison, he became extremely distraught with fear of imminent and inevitable death. A chain smoker, he fumbled in his pockets for a cigarette, which his trembling hand could barely carry to his trembling lips. But he had no matches!
Do you have matches? She called shakily to the jailer, who until then had resolutely refused to meet his eyes.
Shrugging, the jailer reached over to light Antoine’s cigarette, and as he struck a match for his prisoner, their eyes met without realizing it!
AT THAT MOMENT, ANTOINE, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, SMILED!
And at that moment, an indefinable spark of friendship seemed to jump from one soul to another, and indeed against all his conscious intentions, A COURTESY SMILE GENERATED ON THE LIPS OF THE JAILER!
Having lit Antoine’s cigarette, for some inexplicable reason, he seemed rooted to the ground! She continued to smile, maintaining direct eye contact.
Jailer: “Do you have children?”
Antoine: “Yes… yes… I have three.” He responded, fumbling with family photos of him.
Jailer: “I have three too.” He produced his own images of her and then talked about his plans for the future of his children.
Antoine: “You are a lucky man. I will never see my own children again. They will grow up without a father.” His eyes filled with tears.
Jailer: (His eyes also fill with tears) “Come with me!” he snapped.
And he opened the cell door, leading Antoine out of the prison by a back entrance and through back streets, until he reached the city gates, where he released the hapless prisoner. Without another word, he turned back to the town.
ANTONY OF ST. EXUPERY’S LIFE WAS SAVED BY A SMILE!
Behind the curtains we raise to protect ourselves, our dignity, our social titles, and our status from prying eyes, lie our true and authentic selves. The elaborate facade we hide behind only serves to isolate us from each other and prevent our souls from connecting with each other in any meaningful way. There would be so much less hate, fear, or envy if we would just allow the UNPLANNED, UNAFFECTIONAL, NATURAL CONNECTION OF A SIMPLE SMILE TO CLOSE THE GAP IN OUR LIVES.
Consider this: why do we instinctively smile every time we see a baby? I suggest we do it because we meet someone who has no defensive barricades and whose smile for us is completely genuine in the sweet innocence of it.
Here is my own experience with smiling: I have a rather curious hobby. I COLLECT PEOPLE! In the same way that some people collect stamps as a hobby. I pick up people from everywhere: the airport, the bank, and even on the street!
Is that how it works. Next time, let’s say, you’re at the gas station. As the fuel attendant fills his tank, break into a wide smile and let the smile light up your eyes! At first he will get a startled reaction, but this will invariably be followed by an attempted smile back, and it is in this magical moment that their two souls have recognized each other from some heavenly past; a past shared by all of God’s creations. Then he can go one step further and say, “Thank you for being here for all of us. You’re doing a great job here. Have a great day!”
YOU HAVE JOYED HIS DAY. YOU HAVE MADE YOUR WORK WORTH IT. IT HAS GAVE YOU A MUCH NEEDED BOOST TO YOUR SELF-ESTEEM! YOU COLLECTED A FRIEND!
A smile costs nothing but gives much. A smile enriches the one who receives it, but it does not impoverish the one who gives it. A smile lasts only a moment, but its memory can last forever. A smile brightens the home, generates goodwill in business, and is nature’s antidote to trouble. However, it cannot be bought or stolen, as it has no value unless it is given away.
Some people may be too tired to give you a smile. Perhaps they too have no more to give, due to the cares and burdens of their lives. GIVE HIM ONE OF YOURS! Refuse to wear the seemingly universal cloak of negativity and cynicism. Make it a point to be happy today, and then convey that cheer to others with a simple smile.
SMILE! YOU ARE ON THE WRONG CAMERA!