We have a short time to live. As a human at this point in time we are limited to around 100 years give or take but more than likely not even close to that long. I have Saguaros on the property who will last longer than me. I live near the base of a significant mountain range that is a constant reminder that I am small and my time is fleeting.

It’s usually during times of loss, times of pain or struggle when I start to question everything.  In those times I reflect.

Does the Superstition look back at me at as some type of  leech? Just another small growing thing that sucks away the air and water but gives nothing back? Or even worse. Am I something that’s has left waste and ruined the space I took up? Did I leave a scar that will take years if ever to heal? Did I have any impact for the good on my surroundings? Does it matter?

I care. I feel. I hurt for others. I cry. I hug. I try to make sure my actions don’t intentionally hurt anyone either emotionally or physically. I give. Isn’t that enough?

You know what?  No… it’s not.

No, I can smile and make eye contact as I go about ordinary daily life. I can hold open a door making sure the person actually got all the way through before I let go. I can say please and thank you everywhere. I can listen not distracted when spoken to. I can send love through my energy out into the vast openness and let it land where it may. I can choose to spend the very limited amount of time I have left taking up space on this planet doing SOMETHING positive. I can be grateful for what I have. The little of it and the lot of it.

And I can use my most powerful natural given gift WAY more often. I can smile.

You change as you age. You do. You see things differently. You learn. I have learned the power of a smile. You can feel it. It carries energy as it is seen and received.

Laughter of course is great medicine. That’s been said over and over. But you know what? I don’t always get to laugh. Sometimes things just aren’t funny. Some moments in life hurt too much. Stop you in your tracks hurt.

Maybe my smile isn’t as big during those times but it’s there. Smaller, but there. Sometimes it’s that smaller smile combined with tears that simply says I’m ok. I can do this. I have seen that smile in the mirror once or twice.

Fake smiles and practiced smiles don’t work the same. It has to come from inside. The kindness that comes from deep inside you. From that place that allows our energy to connect.

No money needed. Every one of us comes fully ready and equipped to smile…teeth or no teeth. Let’s be honest, a no teeth baby smile is the best. It’s so powerful it can melt a heart.

So this morning we decided to drive around to the other side of the mountain. There is a whole lot more to the Superstition then the limited yet stunning views we see from this side.

I think it’s time for all of us to hop in the car for a mini road trip again. Time to put the effort in. Stretch out a little. Time to see things from a different point of view. To know more. To grow. You may not feel like there is much if anything you can do to change life but there is.

You can go outside and smile. Start there.