Through the Door

Brené Brown once wrote that the most important thing to do, when getting home at the end of the day, was to smile before opening the door.

Whatever was going on internally, and regardless of the events of the day, the evening (and weekend) could have their tone set by that one conscious choice. Choosing to smile to loved ones at home signifies a message of happiness, of connection, of intentionality.

It’s a great message to carry a positive attitude into our home lives, so that we can be fully present to our families – be they human or canine (or other!)

It can also be a reminder to us as we encounter the world – so often we carry with us hurts from the past, grudges from a negative meeting, grumpiness from a bad nights’ sleep. If we meet others bearing that negativity, it will overshadow our encounter. But if we do our best to greet folks with at least neutrality (if not happiness), we c an shape the conversation to be one of grace.

This is not to suggest that we leap into toxic positivity, nor to delude ourselves from the realities of our lives, nor to avoid difficult conversations. In fact, I think it can help us to find the holiness within those challenges, the sacred moments of accepting the people in our midst for who they are, and the world around us for what it is.

Paul gives us this example, in every letter he wrote – he starts by extending grace, offering prayers and dwelling into the shared space of humanity and holiness: invoking God’s presence as he is greeting communities that may need to hear some challenging news.

Imagine if we did the same when we engage the world: took a breath to cleanse away past annoyances, carefully put away non-related grievances, asked God to be present in conversations, and be ready to experience goodness as we walk through the next door – into our meetings, our evenings, our callings.