A Smile

A SMILE costs nothing, but gives much.
It enriches those who
receive, without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment,
but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
None is so rich or
mighty that he can get along without it,
and none is so poor but that
he can be made rich by it.
A smile creates happiness in the home,
fosters good will in business,
and is the countersign of friendship.
It brings rest to the weary,
cheer to the discouraged,
sunshine to the sad,
and is nature's best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be
bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen.
For it is something that is of no
value to anyone until it is given away.
Some people are too tired to give you a smile.
Give them one of yours,
as none needs a smile so much as
he who has no more to give."
--anonymous

Our Irish Catholic principal gave me a bookmark that had this poem inscribed on it back in 7th grade. The bookmark was a reward for doing well in English, but it's the poem itself that was the real reward. Hopefully it's something I've been able to pay forward.