We see them whenever we leave home. They're everywhere; at the store, on the road and even in your office. They are all over and how we interact with them says a lot about who we are. And while meeting every stranger you see is a ridiculous notion, we can all make a better effort in the areas of friendliness and compassion for our fellow strangers.

Behind that unfamiliar face may be someone who teaches your kids, works with your best friend, partied with your mom or knows your boss. Most likely a very decent human being that may have been one of your favorite people had the paths of your respective lives deviated only slightly.

And if we had the time to meet them all we would probably discover that most of us have no more than one or two degrees or separation if we live within 100 miles of each other.

So why not be nice and at least give up a smile?

Some think there is emotional risk to smiling at strangers but the opposite is really true. You'll feel better by smiling and your emotions will be raised to a whole new level because of all the return smiles you will receive as dividends for your simple investment of a smile.