"Miss? Miss? Hope?"

Startled, Hope responded, "Excuse me, can I help you? How do you know my name?"

"I know everyone who works in this building, Miss. And I know you know who I am. Because up until about a year ago you used to walk past me every day and give me a big smile before you got into the elevator. I have to tell you that it was the highlight of my day. Your smile was like a ray of sunlight coming through on a dark, dreary day. Now all you do is walk past me and ignore me like everyone else. Like I'm not even here. I might as well be a statue. I have to be honest with you, Miss, your smile was the best part of my day and I miss it. I figure I'd come out here and try to cheer you up so I can see your smile again. I know you probably have some problems in your life like everyone, but I'd like to tell you a story if that's okay with you."

"Sure," said Hope, who wasn't sure what to say.

"You know Snoopy? As in Charlie Brown and Snoopy? Well, it was Thanksgiving and Charlie Brown was enjoying a feast with his family. Poor Snoopy wasn't invited. Snoopy was all alone on his doghouse with dog food and a dog bone. He wasn't a happy camper. But then he had a thought that changed everything. He thought, 'It could be worse. I could have been born a turkey.' You see, Miss, I don't know what you're going through, but I hope you'll remember it could always be worse. Thanks for listening. I hope to see more of your smiles again."

The security guard gave her a big smile and headed back into the building. Hope rubbed her face and ran her fingers through her hair.

She thought of what Dan said earlier about how she had been so consumed with herself. She didn't even know that a simple smile had such an impact on someone else. What else did she not know? How many other people had she affected at work by being consumed with her own miserable life? Maybe Dan was right. Maybe this was her chance to get back to making a difference again. Maybe by focusing on saving her company, she would save herself . . . and benefit others in the process. She knew she needed to get started immediately, before heading out early to the hospital for the tests.