How do we make each other happy?

Number one, I think, is to spend time with the other person – good time, with no cell phones in the way.  Just you and me … talking a bit, talking a lot, talking about things that are important to us.

And we can smile – real ones that ooze appreciation of the other. Smiles that Stephen King was fond of saying in his novels reach the eyes of the smiler.

We can touch each other – a hug, a hand on the shoulder. Simple human warmth, so far beyond the comfy temperature in the room.

Or … we can be this man:

It doesn’t take much equipment to light up the eyes of children, and sometimes adults: a bucket of soapy water, two long sticks, a rope attached to both sticks with tied loops in the middle, and lots of open space. Korenmarkt in Ghent does nicely.

The bubbles shine as they fly high, sometimes breaking on the face of a little one. The kids bounce in delight. The adults smile. All is right with the world. Sure, the gentleman has a tiny metal bowl for receiving euros, and tips are important for his survival, but there is so much more.

He sees the eyes wide open along with the mouths. He knows he has created miracle soap bubbles that soar by the ancient buildings and finally pop into disappearance. He invites little kids to hold the sticks and share in the creation. He too smiles.

***

And now …

How will you curve other mouths upward?