Earlier this
year I wrote an essay titled “Let There Be Pockets”. This essay is a follow up
of that dream fulfilled.
One day an
individual awoke to see the Morning Star in a new day dawning. He looked upon
this star in a new way.
“Have I seen
you before?” he asked himself. “If so, why have I not recognized your light?”
For this
poor soul had an epiphany the day before…’a stranger smiled upon me.’ “How is
it that this simple act made me feel so warm inside?” he thought. “Perhaps I
shall try it tomorrow…give a smile to a stranger.”
And this
individual did go forth throughout the land giving a smile here and a smile
there, noticing that each time he gave a smile, he got one back. The feeling of
warmth grew. As the days past, the collective of smiles shone throughout all
the land. This individual also noticed in passing the new neighbors and friends
that now smiled back on a daily basis, that the smile, rewarding as it was, did
not meet all their needs. For there were those who were hungry, others
illiterate, others in need of medical attention, some without shelter from the
elements. The question he posed to himself was… “Can I do more?”
For this
poor soul was not poor in pocket. As he walked the land he called home he had
noticed all the empty pockets on all the smiling faces. “For I have a coin or
two I can share as I walk to the market daily. Perhaps it will help.” Along the
way he passed a coin to a child, then to another, at first for the folly of it
all. Something remarkable happened. He noticed the children squealing with
delight and then running to give it to the parents. The parents nodded a
courteous smile in return. While in market, he observed the coins being spent
for a family delight to be shared…a book, a tool, a bun, a sweet dessert, an
occasional ribbon for the ladies’ hair. “I have made a difference.” he
said….”But have I made an impact?”
On the next
market day he made inquiries about the people of the town to the vendors. “You
know these people better than I do.” he stated. “Is there more that they need?”
The vendors gladly gave their opinions on behalf of the greater good. “I shall
see what I can do.” he thought to himself.
He laid a
plan. He laid a foundation. He laid the money on the table before the council.
They accepted his generous offer. For he laid before them a plan to build a
cooperative center to serve the needs of the people who have smiled upon him
when they had nothing more to give but their smiles…for they gave from their
hearts. In turn they opened his heart. In turn he opened his pockets.
The building
was modest in design, a single structure, but with many rooms. One housed a
classroom, one a clinic, one a library, several artisan shops, a cooperative
exchange for goods and services within the village and temporary housing for
those transitioning to this ‘smiling town’. “I made a change, at last. I hope
my vision takes fruition.”
The
cooperative center was accepted with open arms. The townspeople had a place to
educate their children. The craftsmen immediately set up shops to train
apprentices. The women took charge of the goods and services exchange. Here
they brought their skills in child care, homemaking, cooking and gardening with
a co-op store for their handmade goods, food and gifts. Within the clinic, each
face that entered left with a clean face and a refreshed smile with a token
candy for good measure in pocket. Those who passed through town had a safe
place to stay and if they wished, could join the community of smiles.
A year
passed. The time had come to name the cooperative building as it was common to
celebrate ‘name day’ for one and all. The crowd cheered and yelled….”Speech,
speech!”
This
individual was merely a modest man who wanted to, and chose to make a
difference. He explained to one and all his story of his first smile from the
townspeople. The audience smiled back
the warmest smile yet…a cycle complete in a year’s time. “What’s the name?” the
crowd shouted! “I choose to name this center Morning Star!” he replied. The crowd cheered! The artisans
immediately started planning a custom sign to be hung over the door for all to
see. The ladies planned to make gifts to sell in honor of this name. The
children danced and made songs and rhymes in its honor. Ribbons and flowers
streamed through the air. Music from the merrymakers filled the streets. The
councilmen delighted in the celebration of life before them, absent a year
before.
This
individual stepped back from the crowd for a moment surveying all before him.
“This is perfect”, he said. The joy, the laughter and community before him have
come full circle because of one smile cast my way. For he had wanted to make a
difference…a smile…a coin…and he did. But he noticed above all the opening of
hearts and hands in the stability of the community. For their pockets were not
lined with the burden of gold, but clinked with joy for the comfort of
contentment. For their smiles and coins passed from their hearts to hands now
circled the community in perpetual motion.
He had
wanted to make a difference, instead he made an impact. The greatest impact was
on him…a single smile.
Cathy
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