The Light

We never really know what is going on in someone’s life on any given day. With so much negativity in the world these days, it seems problems and feelings just seem to pile up higher with each day.

A philosophy I adopted, about 12 years ago if I recollect, is fake-it till you make it. By that I mean, I smile at people and sometimes even to myself in a way, even if I don’t feel like it. I have found that even if I don’t have anything to smile about, or just plain feel grumpy on any given day, that if I just smile eventually, it will turn genuine.

You probably wouldn’t be able to tell, or maybe you can by looking at me, that I have many problems physically. God fills my heart with an abundance of love most days. I say ‘most days’ because sometimes I just don’t allow it for whatever reason.

I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, I was diagnosed maybe 30 years ago, but after looking back in the past now that I know what it is, I believe I have had it since I was maybe 12 or 13.

A.S. strikes most in their teens but I was never diagnosed. This is an extremely aggressive disease that makes my immune system attack my own body. Mostly my joints. There have been times when during a flare up I could barely make it to my car when grocery shopping and many a day that I limped out of work when my hips were under attack.

Right now, my A.S. is attacking my neck and chest again. People with A.S. call these flares. They last anywhere from a week to years. My last big flare lasted almost a year, and by the end of the flare I was hobbling out of my job at the time - Home Depot. I would have to say that no, I did not get hurt and explain my condition repeatedly several times a week.

During a flare I usually get about three to four hours of sleep at night, which turns me into an emotional wreck. I have type 2 diabetes as well with its own problems to deal with daily.

I don’t let you in on my problems for pity, I decided long ago that I would not let this disease define me as a person. I do tell you this because everyone has something they live with. Could be mental or physical, and some people hide it so well you may never know anything is going on with someone till after they are gone. Some may not be able to hide their physical or mental issues. Point being, that something so small as a smile can change a person’s day completely.

I know this because I have been a person smiling and I have had days where a smile has changed my day. It works. It does not cost a thing to give the gift of a smile.

The same can be said of giving kindness. It costs nothing to be kind or share a word of encouragement. You may never know if the act of a smile or kindness helped or not. Do it anyway. Trust me, it helps.

This is Will B. saying smiles are free, pass them out like candy.