How can energy be sparked by so few words?

Yesterday, I was running along the path in the woods. My first run in a while. I was trying to shake off a heavy cold and generally struggling.

I know I must cut an odd figure - I’m probably too old and heavy to be running, truth be told.

My Tee shirts carry a variety of slogans (this one, I think, was “I’M GETTING TOO OLD FOR THIS SHIrT”, but my favourite has a picture of a huge teapot, emblazoned with “Surviving - from one cuppa to the next”). So, my silly appearance on it’s own is often enough to provoke a smile from the people walking towards me. If they’re still looking a bit glum as I approach, I’ll usually offer some inane comment about the weather, or maybe their dog, or the daffodils starting to appear. If anyone looks like they want to chat, I’m happy to stop (it’s not like I’m training for anything, after all).

But this one chap, who had seemed to be scowling at the ground, beat me to it - he looked up, locked eyes with me, smiled and said “How’s it going?”

My autoresponder kicked in with “Great, thanks, great!” - and straight away, I did feel great. I had a burst of energy from somewhere - and even a day later, I’m not sure I understand it. I think it might’ve been how his face transformed - such a smile! Or perhaps it was my reply, which has been a reflex for years, ever since listening to an Ed Foreman cassette tape.

Ed’s advice was “Anytime anyone ever asks you how you are, you reply “TERRIFIC” - even if you have to say it through gritted teeth!” Now, the word ‘terrific’ just doesn’t roll off my tongue too easily, which is why I settled for “great” a good few years ago.

Whatever the cause, the upsurge in my energy and mood made running the last mile home feel completely effortless. And today, my cold, along with the cough, sore throat and catarrh is pretty much (finally!) sorted.

Perhaps contributing to someone else’s smile is more powerful medicine than we give it credit for?

Or perhaps we need to remind ourselves sometimes, that if we broadcast a little positivity, a bit of it might just bounce back towards us.