Smiling through Struggle

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Did you hear the recent news? Target adopted a policy requiring its employees to smile at customers and display other forms of welcoming body language during their work shifts. The company is hopeful that the change will increase revenue and restore its Black customer base following this year's boycotts.

Target regrets leaving the diversity, equity, and inclusion train as soon as the Trump conductor announced its stop. Their decision corresponds to losses in diverse dollars.

I’ve avoided Target as much as possible this year. It’s caused some inconveniences, but the silent protest has been worth it. I’ve also had to acknowledge that, in many large-scale companies, discrimination and anti-diversity breed inside their business culture.

We swap one economic exploit for another. These ideas are not pessimistic. Dig deep enough, and you will discover skeletons in every grave.

Cross the thin line separating corporations from politics and enter the Epstein files. As the public gains access to the contents, the distrust of “public servants” expands.  They discover that chief executives and White House dwellers find it hard to resist the touch of children and their government comrades.

How can we survive the struggle against deception, the abandonment of morality, and racism? Target recommends smiling.

While I take issue with Target’s band-aid policy, I understand the rationale behind it.

During moments of significant struggle, smiling is a better option than succumbing to strain. Optimism creates options.

I’m not suggesting we suppress anger. You can always frown if the situation warrants it.

While smiling alleviates pain, it's healthy to express the full range of our emotions.

Running long distances and living are teaching me this lesson firsthand. Try running and smiling to see how it influences the perception of pain. Experiencing life’s many turns while maintaining a positive outlook can help you cope with stress. 

Let me tell you.

The return to life in the States has not been smooth. From finding employment, housing, schools, and transportation to everything in between, the road has been rough. My parents and sisters have offered more than ample support, but we’ve still encountered our fair share of potholes.

Guided by purpose, I remain on a metaphorical highway toward an unknown destination. I breathe, assess, signal, and switch lanes to continue despite the traffic. Through every curve, violation, and accident, I have learned to smile and keep moving forward.

Making time to write gratitude lists in the morning and the evening has helped alleviate the interrelated pressure, stress, and anxiety. Before I leave home to exercise, I pause for gratitude. In the seconds before I turn off the light and go to sleep, I repeat the process and write down three statements that begin with, “I am grateful for.”

Rituals can help us face the sun with a smile and squint with a frown. While I still avoid the Target store, I target sentiments of joy and acknowledge sadness.

I don’t possess superpowers.

You can also access internal strength during the struggle by fostering awareness of purpose and maintaining commitment. Retailers will always make superficial gestures to boost sales, and presidents will hide their involvement in scandalous affairs. Enable socioeconomic and political difficulties to fortify your spirit.  

“It is in the villain’s interest only that these struggles are made to seem isolated and unrelated or mutually exclusive or contradictory,” writes Amiri Baraka in his book RAZOR: Revolutionary Art for Cultural Revolution.  Nothing happens by chance.  

We will encounter seemingly insurmountable hurdles. Through financial, political, and personal struggles, we can still find purpose to smile.

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