I’m reminded of a story this morning, my loves – once shared by the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh.

He spoke of meeting a child one day, with a smile so lovely it could warm even the most ‘unflinching’ of hearts.

“Tim, you have such a beautiful smile,” he said.

“Thank you,” beamed the little one in return.

To which, brother Thay immediately responded, “You don’t have to thank me, I have to thank *you*. Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.”

And though a seemingly minor correction, isn’t it true – that a smile can be the source of our joy?

Yours is certainly the source of mine.

“Life is filled with suffering,” he shares. “but it is also filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the eyes of a baby. To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of life. They are within us and all around us, everywhere, any time….If we are happy, if we are peaceful, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.”

Indeed, when we are in touch with the wonders of this world – everything and everyone, in turn, becomes our peace.

So, let your smile become the source of joy for others; and, in doing so, shine a little hope in their world.

Remember, sometimes the gift of unexpected joy – can be found delicately hidden in the curled up edges of one loving smile.

<3