So, there's this guy in Bali who works the grounds of his house just about every day. Well, I shouldn't say every day, because it's been every day this month, but not every day since the beginning of time.
So, I drive my motorcycle past him at lunch time on the daily. He's usually sitting on the curb that butts up to his lawn, eating lunch. Or sometimes he's just working, not sitting, not eating, but always that stare...
When I drive by him, he stares, that stare, that angry, don't drive by me stare. Legs crossed in lotus position, his furrowed brow showing wrinkles halfway up his bald scalp, and his mouth in a scowl. Eyes locked on me like I've just insulted his wife.
To which I reply with a smile and a wave, sometimes a nod of the head, my grin wide.
Now, he's got a big belly, and the way he sits, he kinda reminds me of those Buddhist statues you see every so often.
Anyway, I've been doing this ever since I noticed him. Smiling. Waving. Nodding.
Finally, yesterday, the coolest thing happened. As I drove by and smiled and waved, he stood, smiled back at me, waved both arms, gave me a head nod.
I thought, "Yes! Woohoo!"
Today, same thing. Stood up. Head nod. Giant smile. Both arms waving.
So... something shifted. Was it kindness on my end? Was it the simple smile I kept giving him? I mean, it took about 25 or so days to get that reaction, but it switched something in him to now be delighted to see me instead of irritated-looking, as the energy he gave off was definitely irritation.
But it worked! Smiles work!
