The Weekly Smile April8, 2019 #weeklysmile

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weeklysmile2a

One of the few rules I have for The Weekly Smile is to keep politics out of it.  I do give some exceptions, and today’s post is an exception – I will not state anything partisan.

I live in New Hampshire.  People in NH want to be part of the political system.  Everyone can have their say at the local level, and if you’ve ever been to Town Meeting in a small town, you know that everyone does have their say!  Since we have the first in the nation primary, we like presidential politics to be personal as well (Iowa does have the first caucus, but there is a huge difference between a caucus and a primary.  A primary is one person, one vote).

In the past I have met presidents, governors, mayors, members of the US Congress and Senate, members of the cabinet and local politicians at every level.  I’m not special, I just live in NH where it is par for the course.  A side note – I have shaken hands with candidates from both major American parties.

Presidential politic season is here in full bloom in NH.  I went to one event on Friday, but was turned back at the door even though my name was on the “bouncer’s” list – being an hour early was 30 minutes too late!  So on Friday I went to a house party.  This is the best way to see a candidate.  It is up close and personal.  True story – one year, introvert me found a back corner to hide in only to have the Senator come over and stand right next to me when giving his speech.  This person became the VP candidate for his party that election cycle….  But house parties are like that.  You can ask questions, give opinions or just shake hands.  It is personal.

As I said, I am leaving political content out of the post, so I won’t even say the person who I saw on Friday’s name.  It was a very good event.  The candidate was personable and approachable. Although this was the first of the season, it will not be the last.  (Side note – I talked to a friend at this house party.  Last election cycle her two daughters had selfies made with every major candidate, including, of course, the current president.)

My smile this week was getting involved in national politics, even if in a small, informal way.

What made you smile?

****

Come on, I’m sure you smiled at least once last week.  Why don’t you share it?  I hope you can join in!

Here is list of “rules” and guiding ideas.  If you don’t have time to read it right now, just remember that this is an exercise to spread positivity.  Don’t smile about the misfortune of others.  Don’t smile in a way to excludes others.  Make sure a 12 year old can read it.

And remember, the Smile can be anything, large or small.  Nothing, nothing at all is too small for a Smile!  Sometimes taking time to notice those small, every day smiles is more important than those once in a lifetime huge ones :)

To join in, write a post to share your smile and then leave a comment on this post with a link to your smile.  Or, if you prefer, do a pingback to this post (pingback = have a link from your post to this one).   You can post any time until next Sunday evening (to be simple, I will say midnight GMT, which is 7 PM Sunday for me).   Next week I will compile all of the Smiles and do a separate post of them on Monday morning just before the smile.  (I will shoot for around 7 AM EST).

Try to use the hashtag #WeeklySmile when you use Twitter or other social media that uses hashtags. I searched Twitter and found that #weeklysmile had been used only a handful of times back in 2012 and 2013. It hasn’t been used since. So it’s ours! I also registered it on Twubs.

You can use the graphic at the top. It is the official graphic for the event.

Now go out there and find something to smile about! :)

***

“There are days I go in search of the kind, compassionate, loving and beautiful. Despite what we sometimes see on the news, FB and elsewhere, there is much more beauty in the world than ugliness, much more kindness than hate or cruelty. Perhaps we should all have a goal to make at least one person smile every day.”

51 thoughts on “The Weekly Smile April8, 2019 #weeklysmile”

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  6. Corina

    I think I would enjoy his parties, too. I think that you pick up more about a candidate when it’s a more personal event, one without huge lights and cameras and lots of press.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. dawnkinster

    Politics aren’t QUITE as intense here in Michigan, though last year I did get involved. I agree, house parties are the best, and I’ve only been to one! The group is smaller, you get to watch your potential candidate up close and personal, you get to ask questions and there is usually good food!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I do remember that you were involved, which is great. Those are the very reasons I like the house parties :) They are usually more informal and you feel more at ease.

      Michigan has been a battleground state for the last few election cycles, so I’m sure it can get pretty bad there, at least in the “I’d chew my own leg off to escape all of these political ads” type of way ;) My parents are in Ohio, another swing state, and they get constant calls as the elections approach.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      There comes a time when some of the big name candidates do require more security. Like seeing Hillary in 2016 or towards the end of 2008 seeing Barak Obama – a lot f security – but not near as much as when they actually become president! Then it is a lot more. But it is the way New Hampshire politics has always been – a lot of people won’t vote for someone if they haven’t shaken their hands a few times!

      Liked by 1 person

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  15. Prior...

    that sure was the nicest political post I ever read – well done
    and it reminds me that the voting season is around the corner.
    also-
    my smile this week is coming soon (scheduled post)
    have some cassava tortilla shells that were delish

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks. The last thing in the world I need is to have The Weekly Smile start a political argument ;) Even outside of The Weekly Smile, although I think people can tell my political temperament by what I write, I try to stay out of politics on the blog – the country is so divided and I don’t want to drive anyone away. We’re all friends here :)

      Looking forward to seeing your smile. I hope it doesn’t make me too hungry ;)

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Prior...

        well I already read you comment about the “ghee” with my smile food- and let me know if you try it – we do not use it as much as I thought – the jar sits and we use other fats and oils (and a lot of them)

        Liked by 1 person

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  24. ForgivingConnects

    Wow, Trent I really acknowledge you for doing that. It takes courage to show up and get involved. Good for you — a definite smile. I was actually the chief of staff for a NYS Assemblymember. He became the Manhattan Borough President and then Comptroller for the City after that. Blessings to you.
    Debbie

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I am an extreme introvert and hate crowds, but it is always worthwhile to go out and see these people speak and shake hands with them. I’e only done a little campaigning, and do not need to do much more… I don’t like talking on the phone to people I know….

      I’m sure it was cool to work for that assemblymember and was able to follow his career to a pretty high position.

      Liked by 2 people

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      That is something to smile about! I am waiting for an editor to send me back my WIP so I can get moving on it (she is free, so I can’t complain too much ;) ).

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      It was full. They had planned it in a smaller venue and were only going to let people who were on the list in. At the last minute they switched venue to a larger one. I guess they assumed there was plenty of room, because, without telling anybody, they changed it to first come first serve. So a 45 minute drive to get there an hour early thinking we had no worries since were were on the list, and it was full….

      Liked by 1 person

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  29. Chelsea Owens

    My smile was a picture my mother sent to me. She’s had two of my boys over for a sleepover. They don’t get along, and the picture was of them cuddling whilst asleep.

    There’s hope for the future in many ways. ;)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      It is funny. I do not like crowds. I avoid crowds. But I do like these house parties. And I enjoy meeting the candidates or, at times, their surrogates (usually a high ranking person). It is an awesome experience :)

      Liked by 2 people

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