A smile can brighten the darkest day

Many times, we are not aware that the smallest, insignificant things can cause extreme hurt or happiness to someone else.

A very good friend once remarked, "I don't need to use vulgarities or fists to hurt you. Just ignoring someone can hurt as bad."

I have always found that true. How many times have it hurt you when your good friend ignores you once they found some new friends? Or if they broke a promise and forgot how much they once meant to you?

I have never been a fan of promises - I had way too much unhappy experiences with broken promises. Some people go about promising things but in the end failed to keep them. I don't trust these people too much.

Another thing which can hurt me as much is being unappreciated. I will do anything for my family and friends, as long as they are appreciative of it. But if you never bothered thanking me or acknowledging what I have done for you, well you can pretty much kiss my help goodbye.

Anyway!On a less emo note....I find that most people tend to underestimate the power of a smile:)

Working in a clinic has taught me that lots of times, all it takes is a smile and a "thank you" to keep us happy and warm for the rest of the day.

Caucasians are usually the only people who bother acknowledging our work and thanking us for our service. They will come in all cheery and greet us with a warm "good morning!". Before leaving, they will thank us and wish us a good day Most other races (except maybe the Japanese - now that's a thumbs up to them) just come in sullen and grouchy without so much as a smile or a "thank you".

It always makes me kind of sad that Singaporeans have such poor manners. Take it from me, a smile can really go a long way into making our lives slightly more bearable. And a little kid did that for me just yesterday:)))

For those who didn't know, I went back to ABC Company DEF Lane Blk U #06-66 (company address changed to protect myself) to work for a short period of time while settling some of my personal matters. Because two of their staff had left, they were seriously short-handed and I ended up with twice the workload I usually have to do.

So yesterday, the supervisor kept my nose to the grindstone for the whole day, with the result that by 7pm, althought I was aching all over from sitting too long in my chair, I had to make my way down to the clinic for my night shift. I was tired both mentally and physically and I just want to go home, curl up in my chair with a cup of hot coffee and my blanket around me and watch back-to-back episodes of Friends until I forget about everything. Just thinking about serving unappreciative people pulled my spirits even lower.

Before I go any further, I have to talk about this little patient called Linus. I think I have mentioned this a long time ago. I saw him around 2 years ago and at that time, he was only one-year plus. He was the sweetest little thing, big eyes and with two deep dimples that flashed when he smiled. He was quiet and still if there's a male doctor but once he saw me, he gave the biggest smile with those irresistable dimples. Then his mom will laugh and pretend to chide him, "Aiyo, you little chee ko pek ah! See girls only smile."

Melts my heart totally, that little one:))))

I never saw Linus again for the next 2 years or so, but I never forgot him. See the power of a sweet, innocent smile? So imagine my happiness when I walked into the clinic yesterday and I saw his card waiting on the queue, ready for medicine to be dispensed.

Turns out the little sweetie had insect bites so when his father carried him up to the counter in his arms, he looked all forlorn and miserable. He was carrying a stuffed toy in his arm and looked so sad that my heart went out to him. So I talked to him and the minute he looked up and saw me, he started smiling again. The sweetest, brightest smile. And did I mention those dimples?

And I swear, at that moment, I forgot about everything.

I forgot that I was tired and aching. I forgot that I was frustrated and in pain. I forgot that I was starving. That bright smile was just like the rainbow that parted the dark clouds and my world was once again bathed in sunlight. In just that 5 seconds, he managed to make me smile too and filled me with a warm, snug feeling that lasted all the way until I went home.

The little angel doesn't realize it but he had just given me the best present for that week and something which I will treasure for a long time to come.

Besides Linus, who by far is my favourite, I have met several little kids who have also managed to melt my heart totally. There is this little Eurasian girl called Amy, a bouncy little 4-year-old who loves singing and always asks me for sweets. The only downside is that she calls me "auntie":(  Then there is this little Arab boy with big eyes and loves grabbing at things on the counter - the pens, the boxes, the leaflets - and has the cutest giggle. And there is this little Chinese girl who will blow me kisses every time she leaves.


I think we all need to learn a thing or two from kids when it comes to giving out smiles and laughter. It doesn't cost anything, so why are we so stingy when it comes to it?

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight" - Phyllis Diller