The Smile........................................................................................ Albert Sussler 11-25-06
Walking in the forest
I heard a voice calling
help, help
I stopped and listened from where the sound came.
help, someone ....
I left the path and searched.
The sounds of a woman's cry led me deeper into the darkness of the wood.

I found an old, wrinkled woman.
She was pinned under a fallen tree trunk.
As she looked up at me, I could see hopelessness and tears in her eyes.
The trunk was heavy and I could not lift it.
I struggled with it for hours.
Finally by using a branch and stone I was able to lever it up
enough for the old woman to crawl free.
As we rested by the fallen tree,
The old woman spoke of the many people who had heard her
but decided it was not worth there while.
She said to me,"Kindness such as you have given me should be rewarded."
" If you will have me, ... I wish to marry you."
At that moment I could not believe, where once a old hag bent near me
now stood straight, transformed into a gem of womanhood.
I was startled, to say the least... I managed to finally utter ... yes.
" Before you except, you must know I can not be beautiful both day and night."
" You decide if you want me to be beautiful by day or by night."
I thought of both.

To have her beauty in the sun... yes that would be wonderful,
or at night, that would be great... yes, but, but which?
I was stumped. So I answered ...
It is best, if, you decide.

She smiled at me. It was the right answer, for from that day till now,
she has been beautiful, in the sun shine and beautiful in the moonlight.
It is what SHE wanted.

........................................................................
Beauty, can't be decided for you, by another person. It has to come from within.
Like the woman found in the forest, We each have the capacity to decide our own beauty.
Faces are a reflection of the warmth we hold within.
Through appreciation and affection the face glows.
through anger, hate and sadness the face is cold.

Anger:
A sudden spark, but dangerous to keep inside
I need to act angry at times, but to be really angry burns.
Notice it but let it go.

Hate:
To hate others is to hate oneself.
People step on you, people ignore you.
To many times it happens.
But hate kept alive, chars the character.
Forgiving is like breathing back life's glow.

Sadness:
Its heavy hand can visit anytime and sap ones warmth.
Fight back with friendship, with sunny memories or bright plans.
This is not just for one self.
It is for all those around us,
I was scolded for being depressed after losing my job.
'You can't be sad and angry.
Because our family depends on you, to keep our happiness.'

The beauty of a smile comes from within, acting like sunshine
It warms and gives energy to live.
a smile is to give.
a smile is to receive.
The beauty inside each of us, grows from these smiles.