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<\/p>\nOne of my highlights every day used to be going to the local grocery store. <\/p>\n
I miss smiles. You see, I don’t get out much. I work from home. And so, the only opportunity I get to socialize is when I go shopping for the ingredients for my family’s dinner.<\/p>\n
The local grocery store used to be my social outlet. I’d often get a chance to catch up with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. I’d wave “hello” to folks that were recognizable, but not necessarily close friends. And, I’d smile at strangers as we passed in the aisles. They always smiled back.<\/p>\n
That doesn’t happen so much anymore. Or, if it does I can’t tell – because we’re all wearing masks. And, people just don’t seem as friendly as they used to be.<\/p>\n
The mask has changed things. We don’t see the friendliness in each other anymore. We don’t see kindness.<\/p>\n
Instead, we’re suspicious. We can’t “read” each other’s faces, and so we suspect the worst.<\/p>\n
We don’t hug our friends anymore. We don’t wave hello to our acquaintances. And we think of strangers as enemies.<\/p>\n
And, the conspiracy theorist inside me thinks that’s exactly what the Deep State wants from us.<\/p>\n
For what reason? I have no idea. I’m not a member of the Deep State.<\/p>\n
But, here’s what I do know…<\/p>\n
People are inherently good. We’re nice. We’re kind. We’re friendly. We like to be happy, and we like it most when other people are happy, too.<\/p>\n
The mask has changed things.<\/p>\n
The mask hides our identities. It hides our natural friendliness. It hides our smiles. It makes it easier to be rude without consequence. And, it promotes unhappiness.<\/p>\n
But, some folks believe the mask is a necessary evil in the current pandemic environment. In my state, the “People’s Republic of California,” I’m prohibited from going grocery shopping – or even going for a walk by myself in my neighborhood – without wearing a mask. So… I’ll comply… reluctantly.<\/p>\n
But, I’m not going to let the Deep State win this battle.<\/p>\n
Behind everyone else’s mask, I’m going to imagine a smile. I’m going to trust that the friendliness that existed several months ago is still there today. And, I’m going to bet that our innate happiness beats out any short-term government, or pandemic imposed, inconvenience.<\/p>\n
So, when I see you in the local grocery store I’m still going to smile. And, even though I can’t see your response, I’ll trust that you’re smiling back.<\/p>\n
That’s a reasonable request from a conspiracy theorist’s point of view. But, at this point, it feels even more important… just from a regular human perspective.<\/p>\n
None of us can make much of a difference in this pandemic. But, we can make a difference with how we deal with this situation.<\/p>\n
Go ahead and wear a mask – whether or not you agree with the mandate. But, stay true to your natural instinct to be friendly, kind, and happy.<\/p>\n
In other words… just smile. Doing so will brighten the world just a little bit.<\/p>\n
And that’s all we need.<\/p>\n
Best regards and good trading,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jeff Clark<\/p>\n
What have you missed the most in your life due to the pandemic? <\/p>\n