The long days at work can be tough, especially when you work at a grocery store with ungrateful, frowning, and mean customers, sometimes even coworkers. But, you can’t let these small things drag you down because then you just become one of these mindless zombies. 

It was an early Sunday morning and everything was just going wrong… at least that was what it felt like. I forgot my work badge, didn’t have my water bottle, and one of my coworkers called in sick. When I walked into the pickup room, there were two people already waiting outside for their orders to be brought out to them.Why can’t these lazy people just do their own shopping for one day, I thought to myself as I frantically got their orders together and loaded their car. While doing this I kept one thing in the back of my head, just smile. So, that’s what I did, loaded their cars up with a bright, genuine smile. They thanked me for my service and drove away. 

When I got back into the pickup room, my manager was standing, hunched over the pickup queue. I knew we were behind and I just didn’t need someone nagging on me about it. My manager looks up from the computer, 

“Why are these orders not picked?” He complains, knowing full well that I was working alone that day. Just smile.

 “I was just about to get those orders picked, I’m sorry.” I said as all the mean things I could have said building a storm in the back of my mind. He nods and walks out of the room. 

I swiftly got my cart all ready for picking the order. I kept the smile on my face as I started to pick the order and while doing this I got stopped by a tall man.

”Could you help me find the sour cream?” He asked while looking down at me. 

”Of course, it’s right down at the end of this aisle.” I replied with a smile on my face. 

“Thank you so much, and thank you for smiling. You don’t know how much that means to me.” He said, smiling back at me. 

My face must have been in complete shock when he said this to me. Did someone actually notice my smile? My smile actually brightened someone's day? I was confused, yet proud of myself at the same time. So, I finally replied to his comment, “I think it’s easier to smile than to frown. Just because I may be having a bad day doesn’t mean I should take it out on others.” 

“Right? That’s how I think everyone should think.” He finally thanks me one last time and heads down the aisle. I was so proud of myself that just by smiling, I could make a difference in someone's day. That customer also made a difference in my life as well. I learned that just by smiling, I can make the people around me in a better mood. So, if you want to make an easy change in your life as well, just smile.