Picture yourself on your way to work (or school). It’s cold, it’s early and you are tired. You are with a bunch of total strangers. You just want to mind your own business and get to your destination. Then, some random stranger breaks out in a joyful song and invites everyone to sing. It is a blatant attempt to get you out of your grumpy tired mood and spontaneously sing along… smile… laugh.

Joe’s Perspective: Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture famously said, “There are two kinds of people – Tiggers and Eeyores” (I hope your parents read Winnie the Poo to you). Tiggers are enthusiastic creatures who engage in life experiences. They bring joy to others. Eeyores are pessimistic creatures who let opportunities pass them by. They suck the joy out of people. I like to think of myself as a Tigger. I would like to think that I would not let my terrible singing voice get in the way of a little spontaneous bonding and laughter.

There is a lot of research that says a smile can change your mood. Try it. When you are stressed, overwhelmed, or sad about something, just smile. Better yet, close your eyes and recall an experience that brought you great joy. It’s hard to hold two opposing emotions in tandem at the same time. It’s difficult to be angry and happy at the same time… or sad and enthusiastic. Life is supposed to be about the lived experiences. I hope that you are taking advantage of those experiences and/or creating them as you go. I know most of you who are reading this blog post are 15, but someday (God willing) you will be 33, 53 and 73. Enjoy your life. Be a Tigger. Sing on the subway. You only get one life! Let’s go!

Your Turn: If you were on this subway train, how do you think you would have responded? Why?