 |
| BumberShootStudio Paintings Copyright 2016 'Lotus' |
Lotus grow.
It's custom here in China to not smile at strangers when walking on the street, taught this from childhood...why would you smile at someone you don't know? As Americans...we do smile at strangers and the responses I find here are quite interesting.
Almost all the young people will smile back at me and almost all the middle aged men will also (being that I'm a woman and a foreigner may have a slight bearing on that second one). Interesting though, I receive fewer smiles from the middle aged women.
The older folks are more of a mixed group...some will, some won't, but those who do, it's their expressions I love the most! When they smile back at you a complete transformation takes place. The cold hard exterior that's been left behind from a life of struggle and hardship melts away to pour joy. Beauty so genuine it moves my heart every time I see it.
Joy is the expression of glad feelings, a state of happiness...it's also a choice. I've found some of the most beautiful things grow in the most difficult places.
No comments:
Post a Comment