Contagious Joy, A Gift for the Soul

Have you ever heard anyone’s laughter? I bet you have experienced it. Most of the time, it’s contagious. You hear them laughing, and if they keep going, you’ll start smiling. Eventually, you’ll start laughing too.

Quite some time ago, I was reading a book, and the author mentioned that humans are the only creatures on this planet with the ability to laugh or smile.

I’ve never done any research to verify whether he was right or not. But as a human being, I can assure you that laughter is a great blessing.

Living in Canada for approximately three years, I’ve learned a valuable lesson.

Canadians look at you, and usually after a couple of seconds, they smile. When I first came here, it felt a little odd to smile at a stranger. I gave it a shot, and the result was nothing short of magical.

It’s similar to giving someone a gift. I was taught that the brain is a broadcaster and receiver of frequencies. We send energy toward people. That’s why, when someone stares at you for a while—even if they’re behind you—you’ll notice it and turn around.

Smiling at someone throws positive energy particles toward others. And laughter amplifies that energy, broadcasting it throughout the space you’re in.

Quite a while ago, I was on a bus and not in a positive mindset that day. A lady was sitting in front of me and looked at me. She probably sensed something and immediately smiled. That was a beautiful gift—it made my day.

I never saw her again, but she chose to spread positivity. Whether it was done consciously or unconsciously, based on the feeling I received, I could tell that smile came from a place of care and love. I’m not talking about romantic attraction, but love for a fellow human being. That simple act of smiling was the best thing that happened to me that day.

It felt like a lightning strike to the mind, changing my mental state in the blink of an eye. The main reason for the shift wasn’t the smile itself, but the intention behind it.

Please allow me to share another interesting story with you related to this topic.

During 7th grade, almost all the teachers and principals were dramatically bothered by me, not because I fought or caused trouble, but because I laughed at everything. I was given a gift, and they were simply following the rules of the school.

I was never stressed and always laughed at the smallest things, like an ant climbing a wall with a piece of food in its mouth. Of course, I wasn’t supposed to laugh during chemistry class, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t keen on chemistry, and there were a lot of funny things happening around me.

Everyone called me the Laughter Guy, Mr. Laughter, and so on.

Later in life, I looked back and realized that laughter is one of the greatest gifts anyone can receive.

Some of my dearest friends, when they’re talking about a challenging situation, feel seen after I listen and acknowledge their emotions. Then I share a joke or funny story to make them laugh.

Eight times out of ten, their posture shifts, and they begin talking about something they enjoy.

Although I don’t solve their problems, it changes their mental state at that moment.

Just keep in mind, this behavior might not be acceptable in every country or culture. If smiling at a stranger isn’t welcome in your community, then smile at your friends, parents, partner, kids, dog, cat, fish, snake, turtle, flowers, trees, sky, clouds, sun—anything or anyone you feel drawn to.

You might be thinking, “What will people think or say about me?” That’s a fair concern. Some people do judge others in their minds because they think everyone should behave the same way they do.

But most people are too busy to judge you—they have their own worries. I’ll explain this further in a future article.

Spreading love toward others and all creatures is one of the best gifts you can offer, so long as it comes from the right intention.

While I was taking a program at college, I used to smile at people once in a while. There was one person who smiled back at me, but as soon as they walked away, their face went serious again. Of course, I’m not criticizing.

They might have been going through something. Still, that brief smile meant a lot to me.

The main difference was that I didn’t receive the same warm feeling I got from the lady on the bus.

What I want to share with you, as a sophisticated reader, is that a smile infused with love, care, joy, blessing, or happiness can change someone’s day.

Most importantly, you’ll receive a gift in return. What goes around comes around. Some call it karma.

When you give a gift to someone, you will be given an even greater one by the universe, God, or the source.

Quite a number of wise men and women have said the following phrase in different ways throughout history:
“Smile, and the world will smile back at you.”