Lisa Mayoh: Happiness catches, so pass it on – and bless you!

Happiness catches, just like bad moods do. Saying bless you tells the person next to you that you care enough to acknowledge their existence, writes Lisa Mayoh.

Do we not bless each other any more after sneezing? Picture: iStock

Do we not bless each other any more? Last week I was in a room with about 50 people, listening to a presentation.

It was quiet, with everyone focused on the speaker, when I sneezed. Twice. I’m used to sneezing – my dust allergies happily got me out of that Saturday morning chore while growing up – but what I’m not used to, is silence afterwards.

In a room of 50 people, not one “bless you”. Is that the norm now?

I always say bless you if someone “atchoos”, as my middle daughter used to say when she was little. But it seems like that time honoured part of civilisation may have become outdated – like opening a door for a stranger or waving thanks if someone lets you in on a busy drive to work.

If you ask me, they are all things that should be second nature. And I’m not sure when they disappeared into the abyss of modern day living.

“How do you not say ‘hello’ when you pass someone on the street?” Picture: Universal Images Group via Getty Images

“How do you not say ‘hello’ when you pass someone on the street?” my husband commented as we walked the dogs to the park during the week. Fellow locals often look anywhere but at you, just to avoid saying hello. I don’t get it. I go out of my way to say good morning and smile – because, why wouldn’t you?

Maybe we’re angrier. Busier. Colder. Grumpier. Like the woman at the dog park who yelled at me because my two friendly little fluff balls were sniffing hers.

I wanted to yell, “Well, why are you at a dog park then!” – but realised all she’d done was pass on her mood to negatively influence mine. Picture: iStock

“He doesn’t like other dogs – get them away,” she screamed one frosty morning last week. The thing is her icy interaction with me changed my day. I wanted to yell, “Well, why are you at a dog park then!” – but realised all she’d done was pass on her mood to negatively influence mine.

Just like the speedy so-and-so who refuses to wave when you ever so politely stop the traffic to let them ahead. But if a fellow driver can see you patiently waiting and waves you in front with a friendly smile, doesn’t that change everything?

Kind people breed kind people. Happiness catches, just like bad moods do.

Let’s look on the bright side. Saying bless you tells the person next to you that you care enough to acknowledge their existence.

Waving to a stranger will encourage them to do the same. Saying hello to a passer-by may be the only words spoken to someone that day. A little dog saying hello to another means they’re making friends – how can you be anything but happy at a dog park?

Positivity creates positivity. Pass it on. Tag – you’re it, so pay it forward (and bless you, especially you, for reading this today).