Sweat dripped down my back as I trudged down the sidewalk. Cars zoomed by and the pungent smell of sewers wouldn’t get out of my nose. There wasn’t even a hint of a breeze as the sun glared into my eyes, devoid of any respite from the morning’s hide-and-seek. All in all, Houston in the afternoon, not so pleasant.
As I trudged towards my hotel with food in my hands, I passed by people, with blank faces. A peculiar sight caught my attention—the man in the brown suit. His appearance alone, complete with a bowler hat and grandfather glasses, seemed out of place in the street of people in t-shirts and shorts.. However, it was his demeanor that truly struck me. With a grin on his face and a carefree whistle escaping his lips, he exuded an aura of unadulterated joy.
In that fleeting moment, I realized the profound impact this man had on me. His cheerful disposition and disregard for the sweltering heat made me yearn for a similar outlook on life. It made me realize that growing up with a smile on my face was a choice I could make—a choice to find happiness, even in the most unfavorable circumstances.
Too often, we allow external factors to dictate our moods and rob us of our joy. We become consumed by the stress, the noise, and the discomfort, forgetting that we have the power to shape our own experiences. The man in the brown suit reminded me that even in the face of adversity, we can choose to embrace positivity, spread happiness, and defy societal norms that restrict our expression of emotion.
Growing up with a smile on our faces is a mindset that requires conscious effort. It involves finding beauty in the mundane, seeking joy in unexpected places, and appreciating the simple pleasures that life offers. It means not allowing the troubles of the world to extinguish the light within us.
As I continued my walk, inspired by the man’s zest for life, I was struck with the fact that the future, as uncertain as it is, resolved to approach adulthood with a smile on my face. I recognized that cultivating a positive outlook would not only uplift my own spirit but also radiate to those around me. Just as the man in the brown suit left an indelible mark on my day, I aspired to make a similar impact on others—to be the person who brings warmth and joy into their lives.
Life may present us with challenging sidewalks, relentless heat, and the stench of sewers, but it is our attitude and response that ultimately shape our experiences. So let us choose to grow up with a smile on our faces, embracing each moment with gratitude, finding reasons to be joyful, and inspiring others to do the same.