Dear Folks,
I appreciate that you wish for me to appear happier. But really, if you don't know me, it is quite a risk to suggest to me that it can't be that bad or to order me to smile. I imagine it makes you feel as though you are spreading good cheer to tell me to be happy. And while I recognize happiness is often a choice, you - since you don't know me and are not making any attempt to get to know me - just know that at this moment I appear unhappy. There are a number of legitimate reasons ranging from large to small that I might not be smiling, and none of them are improved upon by people telling me to cheer up. (I really think "cheer up" is a bit like "calm down" it hardly ever works on the people who really need to hear it, in fact you risk sending them farther in the other direction.) So, I am sorry that you did not see me in a moment of outward happiness. But, your words, however well meaning, are not helping.
Sincerely,
Just Let Me Keep Walking and I'll be Out of Your Sight
Rants About New (and old) Things
