While I was riding the subway this morning on the way to work I noticed that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE in my subway car had the same look of misery. Miserable thoughts probably about the heat, or the early morning commute, or the fact that it's only Tuesday, the daily grind, my boyfriend dumped me last night, my grandpa died and left me no inheritance, whatever. Then to make matters worse, a man stepped into the car with a gym bag and proceeded with his routine announcement. “Attention ladies and gentleman! May I please have your attention!?”

Just when I thought no one could look any more defeated, I noticed steam started to mist out from everyone’s ears, little nubby horns started to protrude from everyone’s head, and I think I saw one girl’s head spin all the way around.

I must confess, I cranked my iPod up full blast to try and drown out this annoyance. But the fucker was loud and I couldn’t concentrate on the classic song I was listening to (Mm Bop by Hanson). We were underground but I bet all of Time Square was able to hear him. This was a time when I wished my iPod volume went up to 11. So now I was forced to listen as was everyone else in Manhattan.

“Is there anybody in this car hungry!? I have free sandwiches in my bag…”

Just to let you know, I was very hungry because I hadn’t eaten breakfast and I am on a pretty strict budget so I really wanted to raise my hand. But I remembered back when I was 5 ½ years old my mom warned me never to take sandwiches from strangers because you never know how old the cold cuts are and you may get worms, and they’ll multiply in your belly and eat you from the inside out.

I know what you’re thinking and don’t worry, we put my mom on some medication years later. (I love you mom, and I am glad you are doing better and I DIDN’T take the sandwiches)

I digress.

Announcement continued: “If you need a place to stay because you are homeless, I have a listing of several housing facilities! If your hygiene is questionable and you need a shower, I have a list of 3 facilities with free amenities so you can clean yourself! I know many of you have been on a subway car where there was a homeless person whose hygiene was highly questionable and forced you to move to a different subway car!”

Again, I must confess that I was tempted to move to a different subway car just to avoid this nuisance. But I was lazy and begrudgingly listened to his “sales” pitch.

Announcement continuing: “To keep this free program for homeless running we need your donations. Even if it’s JUST a penny! Pennies add up! Anything helps!”
And you know what? I had .30 cents in my pocket (and two 20 dollar bills in my wallet). I couldn’t give him a 20 because, as I said before I really am on a tight budget and I didn’t want to be weird and ask for change. And not to sound all high and mighty but I did notice I was the first one to reach into my pocket. He saw me and came over and said in a priestly manner, “God Bless You!” – I didn’t sneeze but thank you.

And right when I dropped my measly .30 cents in his can I noticed a physiological chemical change in my body. I felt a bit tingly. It was an overall feeling of goodness. Even if it was for a brief moment, it made me feel quite happy. Then I looked around and I swear this was the first time I witnessed this: Everybody, and I mean everybody reached into their pockets, purses, wallets, bras and g-strings for change and bills and started to drop money in the man’s collection can. Here’s the cool thing. After each person dropped their money in, I observed a positive physiological change with them too. A smile overcame each of their faces. Everyone’s eyes started to gleam. Life started to blossom. There was now an exciting spark that filled the subway car. It was a feeling of pure goodness. I was now officially in a good mood and I think everyone else was too. I have never seen such an obvious change in vibe from a collective group of people in such a short span of time.

Maybe, now just maybe this could be the simple key to making yourself smile and feel good. Do something nice, do something selfless and notice the change in your body chemistry. It is something we all innately know but often forget to do because we are so wrapped up in our own technological bubble of cell phones, iPods, Blackberry’s, hand held video games, palm pilots, battery operated nose hair trimmers and any other technological crap that keeps us from noticing the physical world around us.

Because of what I witnessed first hand not only within myself but the people around me this morning on a New York City subway, I now truly believe that all normal thinking human beings are innately good and all it takes is for something such as a good deed or a simple compliment to remind us of that.

Try it! If it doesn’t bring an immediate smile to your face and a feeling of goodness to your heart then I may suggest some Lexipro, Paxil, Lithium, Prozac, Effexor, Vicodin, Percocet, Morphine, or Demerol. One or all should do the trick.