I’ve got the Shepley scowl. I thought it was my Oldman’s trademark, but it turns out that it came bundled with the Shepley big ass. I inherited both, no refunds, no exchanges. That is why I do my “smile ups” every morning, one hundred of them if I can. I do them while brushing my teeth, shaving, shampooing. I gotta keep the face loose before the world hardens it up.
I try to flash a grin wherever I can. Elevator rides, grocery store aisles, gas stations and especially at the doctor’s waiting room. I will even smile at the poor bastard standing next to me at the urinal. If he looks uncomfortable, I hit him with one of Don Shepley’s greatest hits: “This must be where all the pricks are hanging out!”
Best time to test your smile is during traffic altercations. Picture it... Mr. Subaru rolls up, ready to bark at me at the stoplight. My grin either cools him down or lights him up. That’s when I drop the Oldman’s hammer: “Listen, Scout — you don’t matter in your own life. Why should you matter in mine?” Smiling throughout...
I like smiling at strangers because it throws the world off balance. It keeps them guessing... and hell, sometimes it even connects us for a second or two. So, I’m making it official. September 6th is Smile Saturday. Go make the world astonished with your smile!
Flash it at the next person you see. If it doesn’t change their day, maybe it’ll change yours.
