To smile.
To slowly open up and express the joy of life with a smile.
A smile costs nothing.
It is disarming.
It positively enhances the lives of those that it touches.
Don't ever under-estimate the power of a smile.
Too often we look for complex answers to life's vicissitudes but the fact is we are the ones who make it complicated.
If you think of babies or very young children who have yet to learned the power of speech, how do they communicate?
Their facial expressions says everything.
It's the same in nature. You know when you need to be on your guard and when you are being offered a friendly welcome.
For many people controlling the depth of your expression has become a necessary part of the game of life. I know there is a science of smiling and I am certainly no expert in this area, but all I know is that we take ourselves far too seriously and we need to be prepared to open up more often. Smiling combined with laughter is one of the greatest gifts you can possess. Think of the people whose company you enjoy. It is conjecture, but I doubt if many of them are grumpy or miserable.
I know when I am happiest. I can feel it in my face. It probably means I have been smiling and my facial muscles ache in a warm, glowing way.
If you must practice smiling then spend at least 5 minutes every morning putting on the warmest most welcoming smile you can. After a while, it will be something that you will want to seek out and experience. When you meet someone, smile openly. Keep smiling unless, of course, the occasion calls for a different demeanour.
My experience is such that as soon as I start smiling not only do I feel better but I sense that everyone feels much more relaxed around me, and they want to reciprocate.
Don't ever underestimate the power of a smile. And don't take it for granted. Like any skill it needs to be practiced and perfected.
~ Julian Summerhayes ~
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