Smile dammit!

The woman walked quickly along the busy street. Immersed in her own thoughts, she barely noticed the noisy traffic and passersby that swirled around her.

A horn blared behind her, jolting her back to the here and now. She looked over her shoulder at the offending vehicle and frowned. Turning her eyes toward her destination, she noticed a man sitting with his back to a store front several yards ahead of her. He was unshaven, wore dirty, ripped clothing, and was holding a sign. Just another homeless person in this city that was home to so many who could not afford a roof. Unremarkable.

The woman silently cursed as she realized that she had no change to offer him. She hated meeting the eyes of those in need without being able to assuage her guilt by offering a coin or two. She considered averting her eyes as she passed. She was only a few feet away now. At that moment, the man turned his sign in her direction. She was sure it would have some sad message on it, something to persuade people to part with their spare change. Instead, she read:

"Smile dammit!"

Scrawled in black sharpie ink on ripped cardboard. Immediately, her furrowed brow relaxed, and her face broke into a wide grin. The man whooped and wiggled his whole body in celebration of his victory.

The woman chuckled to herself as she walked on. And smiled.

Note.

If there's something better for soothing the frustrated soul than listening to Ani DiFranco whilst going about your day, I don't know what it is.