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Smile Like Your Life Depends On It

At Black Sheep, we talk a lot about rebellion and activism. We’re known to enjoy protesting, wheatpasting and the occasional theft of an inanimate animal.

On an individual level, rebellion becomes a lot trickier and harder to fathom. What can I do that goes against the grain, creates a ripple effect and ultimately benefits myself and others? The answer is a lot simpler than you would imagine and was articulated best when I had the distinct privilege of seeing Jon Stewart perform stand-up.

“Practice the quiet resistance of living pleasantly.”

In the words of Oprah, that was a tweetable moment. When criticism and gossip is our nation’s currency, consider how revolutionary simply being nice can be. As a result, I made a commitment to start my own pleasant resistance by smiling, mainly at strangers.

Here’s the kicker – I don’t smile. I grew up in the DC area, where smiling and making eye contact is more of a threat than a pleasantry. I typically have what they call “resting bitch face” and have been asked frequently if I’m “ok.” And nothing makes me angrier than when a stranger, typically a man, tells me to smile more.

Yet here I am smiling at strangers in my office hallway, cashiers, people walking their dogs on the sidewalk, you name it. Much to my surprise, it’s not terrible! In fact, I feel better just for doing it and really believe so do the people on the receiving end of my smiles. I now have at least one “hallway friend,” am getting to know my neighbors and local service industry better and get to pet so many more strange dogs.

If you don’t believe me, then please watch this TED Talk (because everyone trusts TED) on the hidden power of smiling and consider how you too can fight the power (pleasantly):

Dionella Martinez

@dionellanatasha
@ShearCreativity: