As I was walking this morning, from my hotel to the CGAP Financial Inclusion 2.0 meeting in Washington, DC, I passed an older woman wearing a babushka.
She had a weathered, kind face, and she looked me straight in the eye and gave me a huge smile.
It was a smile that said, “Hello stranger. Good to see you. It is a beautiful day, and I’m happy to share this brief moment with you. I give you my blessing. We are connected.”
At least that’s what it said to me to me.
On a crisp fall morning, in the midst of a busy season, this moment made me feel happy and connected. It certainly made my day better.
And so, for the rest of the day, when I could, I gave people a huge smile. I held their gaze for a split second longer and tried to pass on the warmth and kindness that woman gave to me.
I hope that I made someone else’s day a little bit better too.

Beautiful