The Power of a Strangers Smile

A smile.

The most basic form of human expression, is also the most powerful. Smiling often causes a ripple effect. It is an expression of happiness and pleasure that comes from within, and manifested on the outside. The manifestation of this awesome energy is then absorbed by those around you. A smile between two strangers is often an open invitation to a bonding experience and can lead to unexpected social opportunities.

Life in Color Orlando was the first music festival I attended alone. Never have I eaten at a restaurant by myself or even gone to a movie alone. I was unsure what to expect of it or if I would even stay the entire time. The night started off with a heavy down pour of rain. It was a sea of people dressed in white running through parked cars trying to make it to the entrance. I was not going to walk up to the gate with my umbrella, so I grabbed the next best thing, a towel I had in the back seat. “Look stupid or stay dry” is what I told myself, and ran for it. I happened to glance over to my right and there was another girl running beside me. We both looked up at each other and smiled. We ran side by side laughing until we made it to the entrance, not uttering a single word to each other. We were in it together. At that very moment I realized just because I went by myself did not mean I was alone.

“I then notice them look at one another, and grin ear to ear. At this point I had all the feels. I could not help but smile myself.”

Attending this festival without anyone else allowed me the opportunity to take in and enjoy the serenity of my surroundings. At one point I decided I was going to walk around to capture some photos and videos. I ventured off to a less populated area in the field to avoid getting my phone splattered with neon pink and green paint. At one point I began to record a video clip for my Instagram account. I noticed a young couple a few feet directly front of me. They had their arms wrapped around one another, and were fixated at the stage. The beat dropped, smoke exploded, and paint started spraying everyone simultaneously. The crowd roars. I then notice them look at one another, and grin ear to ear. At this point I had all the feels. I could not help but smile myself.

 

There was something so captivating about these two young souls in love. The beauty of two people smiling at each other has always been intriguing to me. Braylee and I then made eye contact and greeted each other with a smile. I felt compelled to approach them and ask if I could take a photograph of her and her boyfriend. After a lengthy conversation and learning this was their first music festival, we exchanged social media account and phone numbers, and have remained great friends.

There have been numerous friendships and bonds formed at music festivals and shows through a simple smile. Countless times has a smile turned into asking a stranger for a piece of gum, to trading kandi, leading into an hour long conversation, then ultimately turning into a Facebook request and Instagram follow. Before you know it you and this person are now festie besties. You send each other SoundCloud links all day long of your favorite sets and new tracks you discovered. To think it all started with a smile.