Lady Twilight felt angry. It was one of those days when she was doing her best to be nice to everyone but nobody was being nice to her.

What if people could be friendlier she thought to herself as she wandered through the open air market. It was a warm, sunny day so there was no use blaming the weather. In that case it must mean that people just do not like me, she decided.

The chatter of voices was all around while she sat at a table by the side of the shopping crowd. She sipped a glass of green juice and felt very alone despite all the shoppers rushing about the street. Just then she spotted a young man and the newspaper headline on his paper... Lead And They Will Follow.

Twilight finished her drink and wandered along the street, feeling heavy, tired and still a little angry with this world full of unfriendly people. She turned to the left and walked right past the mirror man, he was there every week selling mirrors of all shapes and sizes. He was singing away to himself until he spotted Twilight, then the sparkle left his eyes and his face froze into a stern harsh expression.

She glared at him and out of the corner of her eye she caught her reflection in a mirror. She looked so angry and so bad tempered that she even surprised herself. So shocked was she by her look of rage that she burst out laughing.

The mirror man started laughing too and the two of them laughed until it hurt. With a sore belly, Twilight bade farewell to her friend and skipped along through the market with an inner happiness and a smile for everyone she met.

Something weird happened though. At this end of the market everyone wanted to talk to her, and most people seemed pleased to see her. People went out of their way to help her and it was a pleasure dealing with these nice people up this end of the street.

She walked past a news stand and there was that headline again... Lead And They Will Follow. Something clicked - so that is how it works. Smile and people will smile back, give first and then you will receive. The world is like a mirror and people reflect back to you what you give out.

Although not everyone will be nice back the odds certainly are in your favor if you take the risk and give first. Lead and let others follow your example.

People want to be liked, let them know that you like them and they will feel safer with you and the quality of communication will improve dramatically.

Lady Twilight smiled and the world smiled back.

Peter Murphy
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