My late father was a quiet man.
I inherited that trait — I am not someone who speaks much.
But there was one powerful quality he had: he smiled often.
That smile became part of who I am.
Without many words, his smile brought our family closer. It also connected him to the mosque community in our village, our relatives, and everyone who crossed his path.
I only truly understood the value of that lesson when I entered the workforce — starting as an engineer and later taking on the responsibility of managing a plant.
While working in Miri, Sarawak, I met a senior Assistant Manager, Atan Johan. He had a calm presence, a constant smile, and a great sense of humour.
Whenever I faced challenges at the plant, our discussions would often end with a single sentence from him — short, clear, and enough to bring direction and reassurance.
Later, I worked with a senior planter, Omar Ibrahim. In both formal and informal settings, he had a remarkable way of delivering serious and complex matters with a relaxed tone, humour, and a genuine smile.
As a result, even difficult messages were received openly and constructively by senior management.
Not everyone interprets smiling the same way.
At one workplace, I was once told that I smiled too much — that it made me appear less serious.
But a smile is not a sign of weakness or lack of professionalism.
It is a form of emotional intelligence.
There are moments when we carry personal burdens, and a smile can no longer fully hide the weight within us. That, too, is part of being human.
So who says a smile has no meaning?
In Islamic teaching, even a smile is considered an act of charity.
And perhaps the most meaningful smile of all is the one we offer when our inner world is struggling — not because we are strong, but because we choose to bring calm and comfort to others.
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