Do you know how sometimes something happens and it’s like the exact opposite of what you were expecting? Or maybe it’s something that seems so left of field, you wouldn’t have even considered it as an option?

OK, so yeah, that was yesterday.

I was driving toward the (green) traffic lights, on my way to pick the kids up from school when an older lady, probably in her late 70s, decided to cross the road.

To give you a bit of context, this is a road with a pedestrian crossing, except that she didn’t press the button and wait for the green man. She just stepped into the road and proceeded to cross it, incredibly slowly.

Now I would love to tell you that I slowed down and waited patiently, without grumbling in my head about how she should have just waited for the crossing.

I’d love to be able to tell you that but that would be a lie. I did of course slow down and I had no choice but to wait, but I can’t say that I didn’t grumble a little bit! 😉

And then the unexpected happened.

As the lady got across the road and onto the pavement and I was driving past where she was walking, she gave me a little thumbs up. I wish I could have captured that moment on film because it was incredible and made me smile. And yes, it also made me feel guilty for having grumbled, even if it was only in my head 🙂

And it also got me to thinking about how you and I could upset the status quo today. Create the unexpected. Bring a smile to a place where it might not otherwise be.

Sometimes it’s as simple as being open to the smile inducing stuff and other times it might mean being the one who brings the sunshine of a kind word but there’s no doubt in my mind that this world needs you and I to act as conduits of cheer.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

And so your challenge for today, if you choose to accept it 😉 Keep your eyes open today for an opportunity to do something so unexpected, it makes someone else smile.

Use your imagination. Get creative. And when you’ve done it send me a tweet and tell me all about it. Making people smile is my favourite thing to do so I’d love to hear you got on 🙂