Not every day is a good day. For a plethora of reasons, our attitudes can change in a split second. Some of the factors that usually contribute to my attitude are the weather, my hair and my to do list.
There are a bunch of small things that all factor in with each other to produce how I come across to everyone else for the day. However, there is one factor that will always remain constant in the equation that produces how I go about my day.
That factor is you.
I'm sure you are sitting at your desk, in your dorm, walking to class or something of the sort, reading your paper, positive that we don't even know each other. But the thing is, what you do today and how you present yourself to the world, directly affects everyone else, including me. Why do you think I felt prompted to write this?
The difference between coming across someone with a pessimistic outlook and resentful attitude versus someone who no matter the situation finds a way to see the best in the matter, the opportunities, and their chance to make someone's day, is huge. And here is and example of why and how.
I walked into the mailroom the other day to pick up a package, and I noticed the woman working there was contagiously happy. She brought me my package and asked how my day was going and how I was doing, all with an infectious smile on her face. I left the mailroom instantly lighter and pleased that this woman had the ability to make me feel so good just by being friendly to me, a complete stranger at that.
The rest of my day, I wore a smile and shared it with the people that I was surrounded by. Because of the stranger, I had the urge to open doors, compliment and go a little bit out of my way to make others feel as good as I did.
The opposite is also true. If I come across someone who is clearly unhappy and trying to share their bad day with the world, more than likely, I am going to contract their disease and be a bummer to everyone for the rest of the day.
So why would you want to do that? If you are clearly aware that how you present yourself to the world is going to affect how everyone else presents themselves to the world, don't you want to be the best, most positive, version of yourself? It always comes back to you.
Every day you have the opportunity to make the days of every one you come across. So think about it before you throw it away. A smile can lead to a whole lot of great things, and maybe a smile is all someone needs to make it through the rest of their day.
- Brinker is a sophomore from Stevensville, Minn., with an undecided major.