When I pull into my Niantic neighborhood, there is an old stone train bridge with large brownstone walls. Amtrak refurbished the area a few years ago, painting warning stripes on top and a large corner stone yellow to caution drivers. A couple of years ago, someone painted a smiley face on the large stone. Every time I drove past it, I smiled because it was so genuine and uplifting.
The smiley face lasted months until one day it was painted over. Black diagonal stripes were painted over the bright yellow surface. This war of the smiley face went on for a while – one day the smiley face was there, and a week or so later, it was replaced by black diagonal stripes.
After many months, the smiley face has recently returned. I was so excited that I even called a friend in the neighborhood to ask if she had seen it. We laughed and talked about how that smiley face lifted our spirits and helped us celebrate the small victories of life. Within a week, it was gone again, painted over with utilitarian caution stripes.
So the disappearance of that smiley face upset me. What seems so trivial has become so monumental in my life. I’ve closely examined a recent run of bad luck or bad karma to see if I’ve learned something from these unusual events. I might not have caused the issues, but I would be remiss if I didn’t learn from them.
Bad Luck Streak: Karma or Coincidence?
I became entangled in unusual communication and electronic mishaps. Before I left the country on vacation, I called my cell phone carrier to inform them that I would be traveling to Europe and asked if I needed to take any steps to secure the use of my phone. I was told no – they would only charge me more for calls. When I got to Paris, my phone didn’t work. The internet in our apartment was not working and was finally fixed on my last day there. That evening, I said goodbye to my friend and left to have a night out in Paris. Within ten minutes, my cell phone was pickpocketed, and I was left with no communication or navigation. How would I connect with the friend I was going to see in Portugal the next day? Would my pre-ordered Uber show up the next morning to get me to the airport on time?
Thankfully, I brought my computer on my trip because I had an article to write, and eventually, everything fell into place. I returned home, resumed my treasured work as a Rolfer, and purchased a new cell phone. Within 48 hours, a truck passed by and removed the wire for my business phone and internet. I couldn’t use my new cell phone because the SIM card took nine days to arrive, and I had no landline and no internet for three days. “What is the message here?” I kept asking myself.
When my phone line and internet were fixed, my printer didn’t work. On the phone for six hours – four with Geek Squad and two with a computer-wiz friend – and nothing worked. My business phone was so staticky that I couldn’t hear my clients or make calls. What a mess.
But then, a quick phone call to report the phone problem resolved my printer issue. They dispatched a team to fix my phone. Finally, a few days later, all was better. I learned a lot – that I needed people, I needed communication, and I needed to reach out more to loved ones, letting them know that they truly matter to me.
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Embrace the Smiley Face
That smiley face reappearing within days after a long hiatus was a reminder to not sweat the small stuff and look at the bright side. Other neighbors commented that they were glad it was back. It gave us all a boost- a reminder that life could be simple and silly. Then, it was gone again.
Painted over once again with those cautionary stripes, I yearn to see that smiley face reappear, combating all the injustices, sadness, and upheaval in our present world, if only for a short-lived moment. It’s up to each of us to create that joy, see through the dark clouds, and live with the inner happiness that we all can manifest.
Find your inner joy and inner balance and create the life you desire. Reach out and seize the opportunities life offers. Channel your own smiley face, discover your happiness, allow miracles in, and live with intention.
Sharon Sklar is in her 44th year of private practice as a Certified Advanced Rolfer. She has been voted one of Natural Nutmeg’s 10BEST Bodyworkers for the last six years and is very grateful for the support. Sharon works with direct manipulation of the soft tissue of the body and movement re-education over a ten session series to help her clients feel freer, get more balanced, and reduce chronic pain. Great for athletes, children, and adults recovering from the stress, injuries, or traumas of life. Inquiries are encouraged! State Licensed. Call 860.561.4337 for more info or to schedule a consultation.
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