Smiling to Myself

Posted on by Victoria

I’m continually amazed by the knowledge base that sits within the WordPress community.  Every day when I peruse the “Reader” I’m learning.  Sometimes it’s a pearl of wisdom in the form of a quote or historical snippet.  My interests lean toward stories about family, wellness and humor and fellow bloggers who weave stories together with facts and new learning are a delight.

“Common ground” in the blogging world isn’t just conceptual.  It exists and the spirited and supportive comments, chuckles and feel-good moments from fellow bloggers are little gifts, delivered daily.  Yep.  Just me, sitting alone at my desk. Or out in the wild…where my goofy grin might prompt some onlookers to wonder and/or worry.  I’ll explain.

Recently while running a few routine errands, I ended up in a queue. With the mobile functions of WordPress, I have a never-ending resource of reading material on my phone.  No need to stand in line just zoning out…and I’m not the person who feels comfortable having what-should-be-private phone conversations with people so near.  I think it’s because I get overloaded by the forced eavesdropping that occurs with multiple one-sided chats in progress at one time.  My brain invariably tries NOT to follow threads of conversations, but I get sucked in.  So, I peruse the WordPress reader – an excellent, and often humorous, compelling distraction.

I don’t know if the dear gentleman in front of me in the queue thought I was quietly giggling at him or if I was just a little “touched”.  (For the record, a quiet giggle is an impossibility for me. I’m not demure!) 

I think at first he thought I was one of the “others” who was rambling on in a phone call, but when he turned to smile at me (not with a grimace, which was nice!) he looked over his glasses and said, “You’re one of those sunny people, aren’t you?”.  Thank goodness for his upbeat delivery and smile.  The words, delivered with an edge could’ve been a snarl….Grrr…you’re one of those sunny people.  But not him.  We chatted for a minute, and he asked if I was watching those ‘Ticky-Tock’ videos. 😉 No, no, I shook my head no, and then I mentioned I was reading blog posts.

Well…that amazed him.  I wasn’t watching goofy videos?  I was reading?  On my phone?  So I pivoted my phone toward him so he could see and he was intrigued.  He asked if everything I read is funny and I said no, but added, “My blogging friends are quick-witted and sharp, and I enjoy reading ‘what’s new’ every day.”  Then I explained how we often comment and interact with one another, and he was entranced.  “So much better than email”, he noted.  Oh, good grief, yes! 😉

The other folks in line might’ve thought I was an evangelist touting WordPress.  I wasn’t – but it was a fun moment with a sweet gentleman who trusted his instincts enough to turn around and pass the time with the crazy lady behind him.  I love everyday moments like that one.  They fill me up, remind me that the opportunity for joy is all around me.  Even while standing in a long line. 

But still…should you see me out in the world, with a random smile on my face, please give me a little grace.  It’s my default affect.  Happy.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I’m grateful to you, my WordPress friends, and our little Heart of the Matter community – full of bright spots of inspiration. 

Smiles to you!

-Vicki 😊

53 thoughts on “Smiling to Myself”

  1. Pingback: I Smile Therefore I Am… – Victoria Ponders…

  2. This made me smile. And I definitely browse through WordPress on the long grocery lines too.

    I think you and Wynne need to branch out to Ticky Tock next. 😆😊

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    1. Oh, Ab….don’t encourage us! Thanks for returning the smile to me this morning with your fun comment…and the knowledge that I’m not the only one reading WP while in line somewhere! 🤣😘🤣

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    1. Good morning, Patti — and thank you! I’m glad you love those random bits of goodness. I love the unexpected joy that comes from quiet interactions with kind folks….happy to know those lift you up, too! 🥰

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  5. Thank you for sharing, Victoria. I think it’s wonderful that your default affect is a smile. When I imagined the conversation you had wth the gentleman, I could actually feel a change within me. This type of REAL connection is needed in our world.

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    1. That’s so sweet of you to say, Art. I glad to know the feeling came through the words. He was delightful and although I didn’t go into the detail, he had a fairly thick Eastern European accent and I could tell he was unsure about his English skills, hesitant to interact. Whenever I notice that, I try to smile EVEN more…to encourage. Thank for picking up on the ‘unspokens’ about kindness, Art. Real connection, indeed! 😊

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      1. I’m glad that you encouraged such a delightful interaction. When you mentioned “hesitant to interact,” it made me think of how many of our societies have become fearful to interact (whether due to language differences of not). The “keep your distance” mentality is not something that helps all of us thrive. The more we “see” one another at a deeper level, the richer all of our lives will be.

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      2. Agree, agree, agree…and the past three years have kept many of us distant for safety reasons — often unable to see the smiles behind actual masks. Great point, Art. Thank you for that. 😊

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  7. Oh, we need video of you now in the grocery checkout line! Ha, ha! I’ve been checking out that new tik tokky thing, I didn’t see that you had posted anything yet! Ha, ha, I love this. So wise too. Nice you too to chat with the other patron. I would’ve bowled him over on my way to run out the store and avoid interaction. Love that you responded with kindness. 😎😎😎

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    1. You first…Mr. Tik Tokky…I’ve not done anything more than peek…I can barely handle what I’ve already got going on! And I don’t believe for a minute you would’ve run for the hills. He was such a nice man. 😉

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  9. Oh, I love everything about this, Vicki! The not-to-subtle giggles, the kind interaction, and your excitement in sharing the joys of blogging. 😊

    If I ever see someone who looks particularly cheerful, I may need to approach and declare, “You’re one of those sunny people, aren’t you?” What a beautiful thing it is for a stranger to look at us and immediately recognize the good bits.

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  10. Your ability to find joy in long lines is a gift, Vicki. My first step in that direction was to see those situations as an opportunity to learn patience. A different sort of gift, not requiring a phone or a friendly neighbor. Joy to you and my thanks to you, every day.

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    1. Oh…what a great point you make…there’s little ability to find the joy in a long line if impatience is in the way. Yes, yes. Thank you for your lovely comment, Dr. Stein! 🥰

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    1. Umm…takes one to know one, may I say? It was a fabulous encounter, and you know my dad’s nickname was “Sonny” and he loved it when folks misspelled it as “Sunny”. It fit his personality perfectly — more so than mine! xo, Wynne! 🌞🌞🌞

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  13. I also read through WordPress in the long grocery store lines. What a nice encounter with that man. It could have been so much worse, like a negative comment from an unhappy person. It shows he’s a sunny person, too.

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  14. Agree, this is such a nice community – I’ve been surprised to find how supportive fellow bloggers are and you’re right about learning new things, so many well written perspectives to enjoy and learn from.

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  15. I have one of “those” faces… thin lips and down-turned corners making me look constantly grumpy and negative so I try to go above and beyond in the ready smiles and brief comments when I make eye contact with others. I fear being labeled a Scrooge, but sometimes I can get carried away with the chit-chat and that switches my concern to being portrayed as one of those odd older ladies who strike up conversations for no reason- the ones where you know people just wish we’d never locked eyes in the first place 😉

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    1. Well….I cannot imagine the face you describe…doesn’t seem to fit the Deb I know…and continue to enjoy. But — I hear you about sometimes being a little ‘extra’ open or friendly. I do that, too – often when I’m nervous. But LOL – I do not see you as a lady who chats for no reason. I’d enjoy running into you…if for no other reason than to chat about the high cost of cauliflower, right? 😉 Thanks for the smile, Deb! 💓

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      1. Ah, such nice words, thank you! The lower face is genetics all the way and then age making things fall year by year, however the chattiness is learned through careers in healthcare- we called it patient distraction before sharp, pokey things came into view 🙂

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      2. You’re on a roll this afternoon, Deb — yes, indeed — good to have someone with a happy disposition if they also have “sharp, pokey things” in their hands! 😂 xo to you…and enjoy that curry. I would like the recipe, please! 😉

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  16. You read blogs on your cell phone? Oh your eyesight must be very sharp. I took all things bloggy off my phone, only check-in to blogland using an iPad or my desktop computer. I guess no one sees my smiles.

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    1. I do…I do…read on my phone…but I’m not convinced I SHOULD. The app can be a little glitchy and I’m already pretty glitchy on my own, LOL. Thanks, Ally! (And for the record, I think I can ‘feel’ your smiles – how’s that?!) 🥰

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  17. Happy is an excellent default! 🙂 And as for you being “not the person who feels comfortable having what-should-be-private phone conversations with people so near”- thank you!! I’ve heard far too much about people’s personal lives as they shout it into their phone in public places 😁

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  18. I often spend my ‘waiting’ times reading blog posts and responding to comments (although I am woefully behind at the moment) and they often bring a smile to my face. I love unexpected conversations, especially when we trip up others’ assumptions about us. It is a great way to break down barriers. I will admit to watching Tik Tok videos – my children send them to me constantly and they are always funny – at least in their minds! Have a glorious Saturday.

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  19. Like Maggie, I get way behind on blog reading/commenting too—a few hours ago I read one of yours that brought a good chuckle, but dagnabit, it, disappeared before I could comment. Now the content has also evaporated from my mind too—oh, if I only had a brain! Well, I loved it. And I love your sense of humor. So whatever it was, thanks!!

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