Al Capone said that, “You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun.” That is a big statement coming from a man who is famous for getting his wealth, fame and influence through force. But, here is a story that demonstrates his point.
The citizens in the little village of Ida in Holland were astonished when Hans Bergen died because he left an estate of $40,000 to a young girl named Anne Martin. She, of all people, was the most surprised villager of all, for she had never spoken to Hans Bergen. How could such a thing happen to her?
Well, Hans Bergens will told the story. It seems that one day Anne Martin smiled at him. It was the only smile he had ever received in his lifetime. Grotesquely ugly, Hans had lived a lonely, affection-starved life. His ugliness frightened and repulsed the villagers and they avoided him like the plague. Perhaps Anne Martin saw the extreme loneliness in Hans and gave him the only thing she could a smile. Its amazing how much we can do for others when we invest a little of ourselves in them. That builds winning relationships because people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care about them.
What is your smile worth? Brighten up someones day today and smile big. Don’t give one of those half-hearted smiles, show some teeth and not only wil you lift the other person’s spirits but by default you will raise your own.