What a Difference a Smile Makes

Sometimes when I look at people walking down the street (I love people watching), I can almost see the weight of the world on their faces.  It’s as if the stress of everyday life, the pressure to conform, the need to restrain emotions in public is written on their face. It’s written on mine too, I imagine. I often see a heavy seriousness on the faces of people lost in thought.

Then, I observe something amazing.  They smile.  All of a sudden they look so appealing. Have you ever noticed how everyone’s looks improve when they smile? There is a lightness to their face, a sparkle behind their eyes. They look younger and in a way, perfect when they smile.  Whatever judgments we may have formed about them before this point disappear when they smile.

A smile is one of the most valuable gifts you can give to another person.  You are sharing your inner beauty, letting your true nature shine through and it has an infectious effect on the receiver.  You are more than likely to get a smile back and be given a glimpse into the soul of another person even if for a brief moment. A smile connects you instantly with another person and can lift both of your moods very quickly.  When a person smiles back at you,  you realize that you are not alone on this planet but rather are related to that person in some way.  For the moment, at least, life isn’t so serious.  If you combine your smile with a greeting like “Good morning” as you pass, it can often transform your morning (and theirs) into a good one.

Here’s an interesting experiment you can try.  We all know that we smile when we are happy.  But, most people aren’t aware that the reverse is true–the act of smiling can actually make us happy.  Tomorrow, before you step into the shower, notice how you feel. When you get under the water, hold your face in a big smile even if you don’t feel happy.  No one will see you doing this so you needn’t fear looking foolish.  Keep holding that smile until the shower ends and then ask yourself how you feel.  The effect is remarkable. This little exercise might become a habit if you would like to start your day in a good mood regardless of how you feel when you wake up. Let me know what your results are.

I wrote a song about taking a chance, making eye contact with a stranger and beginning to see them as a brother or a sister.  It’s called, Never Too Late to Start and you can click the link below to hear it.  Hope you like it.

Never Too Late To Start

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