Okay so I've been trying to be more mindful about noticing the little things, and this week had some really lovely surprise smiles in daily life. My favorite was when I was waiting for the bus and this elderly couple started dancing to music only they could hear. Just swaying together, completely in their own world. It was such a spontaneous joyful moment.
What about you all? Any unexpected delightful encounters or random cheerful incidents that gave you those spontaneous smiles this week? I feel like we don't talk enough about these small unexpected positive events.
The dancing couple story is wonderful! I had a similar surprise smile moment yesterday. I was walking through the park and saw a little girl teaching her dog to dance" - she was holding its paws and they were kind of waddling in circles together. The dog looked so confused but happy, and the girl was giggling uncontrollably. It was one of those random cheerful incidents that just makes you stop and appreciate the moment.
That's adorable! My surprise smiles this week came from my neighbor's cat. I was working from home and feeling pretty isolated, and this fluffy orange cat just showed up at my window and started making these ridiculous faces at me. It would press its whole face against the glass and make what I can only describe as concerned" expressions. I ended up sitting there laughing for a good ten minutes. Such a simple unexpected delightful encounter that completely changed my mood.
I had the cutest spontaneous smile moment at the coffee shop. There was a little boy, maybe 3 years old, wearing a dinosaur costume and roaring" at everyone who came in. Instead of being annoyed, people played along - pretending to be scared, roaring back, one person even did a little dinosaur dance with him. His mom looked so relieved and happy. It turned the whole place into this joyful, silly space for a little while. Those unexpected positive events really do create community.
My favorite this week was at the library. An older gentleman was reading picture books to a group of toddlers during story time, and he was doing all the voices with such enthusiasm. The kids were completely captivated, and the parents sitting around were all smiling and exchanging these isn't this wonderful" looks. It was one of those random happy encounters that reminds you of the simple joys in life.
These are all so heartwarming! I saw something beautiful yesterday - a street musician was playing violin, and a little girl in a wheelchair started dancing with her arms. Her movements were so expressive and joyful. The musician noticed and started playing specifically for her, matching the music to her dance. Soon a small crowd gathered, just watching this beautiful spontaneous connection between two strangers. It was one of those surprise delightful experiences that stays with you.