SMILE! Even if you don't want to!!!

Sometimes in life you meet people who no matter what, will find fault in someone or something or EVERYTHING.  It's so easy to judge that person as being mean or just plain ungreatful.  It's really easy to judge and assume.    But if you step back and take the time to really assess their situation, you will most likely find that this person is hurting in some way in their life.  They are either in extreme pain physically or mentally or both.  I can say this without reservation because I can stand back and not only see how I act when I am in extreme pain but also I witness it from others on a daily basis.  When someone is in any kind of pain, it affects their behavior.  Some people will just crawl in a hole and distance themselves from other people.  Others will act rudely and lash out at other people.  Some will do both.  Most of the time, they don't even realize they are being that way.  I know a great old lady who is genuinely a sweet lady.  She has been through ALOT in life and I don't even know the half of what she has been through.  She complains alot.  She is mean alot.  She finds fault in alot of people.  BUT I know this lady is in alot of pain both physically and mentally.  She IS NOT trying to be the way she is.  This is just the way she expresses her pain.  Sometimes it gets very frustrating to listen to the way she behaves.  Sometimes you want to stand back and say "Can't you be a little more appreciative???"  I really try daily to have compassion for her and try and divert the way she is acting to a more positive way.  While acknowledging that her feelings are HER feelings, I try and give her a different perspective on the way SHE is seeing things.  Today, I asked her where her smile was.  She told me she was too mad and tired to smile. I tried to make a joke about something dumb and within a minute she was smiling and even laughing with someone at her table!  SHE DIDN'T WANT TO SMILE.  She didn't!!!!!  But I knew it would make her feel better about life in general if she did.  The main thing I want anyone that reads this to get in my ramblings is...Please do not judge.  Please take time to care.  Please bring back some compassion in life.  I think this is the key to a successful society and I know in my own life that it brings me much joy to care.  I'm certainly not perfect and I have ALOT to change and fix in my own life.  But I am trying to take my own advice.  Even if they are being a pain in the you know what...care and you will feel MUCH enjoyment in your life.  I felt wonderful when I saw her smiling today!  W~ I know you are in much pain.  I hope you know that you have a whole team of people who do care about you and who do love you very much.  I wish for you to find happiness in your days ahead!  So, my message today.  Smile...even if you don't want to.  You will feel better ...even if it's just for a second!  :)