The first impression I would like to give people is that I’m safe to be around. For most other people that probably isn’t much of a problem. But when I was on the drugs, and alcohol before that, over the years I got tattoos on my face and neck. Those tattoos make people, understandably, assume I am either a criminal or still an addict. So I try to smile at strangers and not hold any eye contact for too long. If they are up for a conversation, I can literally see the tension and apprehension leave their faces.
I make efforts to be as friendly as I can be. I do what I can to be nice to people, that’s all I can do. The rest is up to them. If they don’t want to have a conversation in a checkout line in a store or wherever I that’s fine. I don’t get as many stares or questioning looks now that I’m older and not seen a “threat”. For that, I’m thankful.
There is already too much rudeness and cruelty in the world, so I try my best to show kindness to everyone. There’s a lot of truth to the old saying that you never know what kind of battles others are facing. Just today at a store, one of the associates was talking with us and I noticed she had a large portrait tattoo of a child on her arm. I knew what it meant and wanted to ask her about it but I decided not to. I didn’t want to bring up any painful memories for her. It doesn’t cost anything to be kind to people, and the rewards of giving someone reason to smile are far better than upsetting them.
Be the reason someone smiles today.
~Buck
Whispering Wyrd 
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