"The Simplest Gesture"

I make it a task in my daily life to brighten a person's day and I want to say 75% of the time I do. There are many ways in which I achieve that. A simple thank you card, a cupcake, a gift, a gift I made myself, a thoughtful praise, the possibilities are endless. Although all these things are quite thoughtful there is but one gift that has always astounded my heart to those I give it to and to those who graciously return it; the simplest gesture of a human smile. People say "a smile is contagious" and I like to think that they are right. It is but the one thing I can truly say can make a difference in the world no matter how many difficulties a person has encountered throughout their day. I can remember a recent incident in which school work, family issues, and at times stressful leadership roles really entangled my mind with deep thought of hopelessness and doubt of myself. As I rushed to finish my paper, I could find myself repeatedly thinking about those insecurities which always lead to believe that I am an "academic fraud" or what a counselor told me once the "Impostor Theory" (I'll explain that on a later post). I get to the point in which I question everything I have done as a student; academically and as a student leader. I question my own identity as a queer student of color. Amidst all the problems I face as a queer student of color it amazes me how a facial expression and in particular the smile warms my heart and grounds my mind from these issues. As I stood there thinking two of my co-workers pass by and say "Hi" with the best and yet simplest gift one can bestow on an individual; the smile which transcends a sense of hope, happiness, and that tomorrow there will be another smile by which will warm my heart of those difficulties in life one must persevere through.

Thank you...Staff and you know who you are

P.S (: