I was on my way to work this morning, and was thinking about what my next post would be about. I wanted to write something that people could use in a practical, concrete way. As I was debating what to write about, a favorite song of mine by Kirk Franklin started to play. The song is named “I Smile”. Suddenly, I reflected on the fact that a simple smile is very powerful.
Smiling is an uncomplicated, but not always easy way to set yourself up for success. I once read some time ago, that the very act of smiling can significantly improve your mood and can give you a feeling of delight. So if your day isn’t going as planned try smiling, it really can help you feel better. There was a study done, where people held a pen lengthwise in their teeth, forcing them to mimic a smile. Researchers found that when the subjects did this, it elevated their mood and gave them feelings of happiness. “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
When interacting with others, it is always good to have a genuine smile on your face. A fake smile may make you feel better but if others think you are faking it, you may come off as phoney and insincere. So be careful. How good are you at spotting a fake smile? Take this test and see.
This video from the Discovery channel gives a more in-depth explanation.
Mother Teresa once said, ” we shall never know all the good a simple smile can do.” Another fact is, our smile can give others a real boost. I can’t count the times that I was having a bad day and a smile from someone made me feel better. Even a smile from a complete stranger can make us feel better. So, smile and brighten your corner of this vast world. It may not seem like much at the time, but you can see a small candle flame for miles, on a pitch-dark night!
A smile makes us look more appealing. So if you want more romance in your life, smile. A frown pushes people away and causes them to avoid you. A smile does the opposite and draws them in. You’re much more approachable with a big smile on your face. I’ve even read that a smile is age defying and makes you look younger. So smile, and you will find out that people will treat you differently.
When you smile, you even look more successful. A smile makes you look more confident; it projects a positive attitude, something extremely important and necessary to get ahead in life. People who always have a frown on their face will find it harder to get promoted on the job, get friends or influence people. A smile says that you’re outgoing, intelligent and know how to solve problems.
Here is an excellent, short read. It’s only $2.99 from Amazon and it’s sure to make you smile.
Smile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act (Kindle Single) (TED Books Book 9)
So go ahead and smile, we can make the world a better place one person at a time, starting with you and me.
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