I reckon a smile could change the world. Really, I think it could. When did you last smile? Was it to yourself, because of someone else, to someone else? When was the last time you saw someone smile? Sometimes we forget huh? They say it takes more muscles to frown than to smile - but who really can know? Every smile is different! Some people can smile with just their eyes (think Danny’s father in Roald Dahl’s ‘Danny’), some with their whole body, and some with just their mouth. I very much dislike a fake smile. You know the kind, when you get your items from the store and go to check them out - the clerk fakes a return smile to your genuine grin and it disappears if you look long enough. It actually upsets me! I think a smile can do wonders:
1) A smile changes the way your voice sounds
I recently heard a good bit of advice: when the phone rings, smile before you pick it up. People will hear it in your voice. And it makes someone’s voice sound so much nicer - more friendly, more approachable, happier, comfortable with themselves - if your voice is cheery, the person you are speaking to will enjoy the experience.
2) A smile is infectious
It goes without saying really - a true, genuine smile should bring out a smile on your face. I like to walk along the road smiling in the hopes that some passerby will see and smile - and in turn pass their smile on. If we all passed 5 smiles on a day… the results are exponential. If I pass on 5, and those people pass on 5, that 25. If they pass on 5, its 125, which grows to 625, 3125, 15625, 78125, 390625, 1953125, and after it has been passed on 10 times, your smile will have reached 9765625 people. Don’t underestimate your smile!
3) A smile helps you walk taller
When I walk through the mall smiling, it makes me walk taller. And people notice. I’m just a normal person. Nothing remarkable to look at - yet a smile turns heads. I notice it so much. People look at me and wonder what I’m smiling at. I like it because I hope to pass on my smile! Occasionally they’ll smile back - but the main thing my smile does is make me walk taller, improving my posture and helping my health!
4) Smile lines are much more friendly than frown lines
Think about your favorite old people. Our favorite people are happy people usually - and if an old person is happy, chances are they will have smile lines. Smile lines are hardly noticeable. You definitely notice when someone has frown lines - but smile lines are friendly and make a person seem more approachable. They’re nice to be around! Smile more than frown - it will be better in the long run.
5) Smiling helps you enjoy life more
I’m the kind of person who doesn’t mind talking to herself. In fact often when I’m driving I’ll be commenting on all sorts of things - but it doesn’t really help me unless I’m smiling. Its easy to talk or raise your voice when you get annoyed, but talking to yourself about funny, happy things is a little more difficult. But if you can practise seeing something amusing and actually SMILING at it, then perhaps you will learn to enjoy life more. Smiles are actually relaxing. Try a smile now - a real, genuine, from the belly up smile. Doesn’t it un-crease your brow, loosen your shoulders and help you relax? Smile more!
6) A smile can be shared among people who don’t know each other
The amount of times I have witnessed something hilarious and have been able to catch a strangers eye and smile are countless. Its really special. Instead of just smiling at that brief moment, the smile continues. I find myself smiling all the way to my car, telling people about it, and thinking about it for a long time! In a way that could be a little sad as it shows how unsmiling society has become… but don’t hesitate to smile with a stranger!
7) A smile can make your day
A smile from anyone can make your day. If you’re having a rotten day and you see someone smiling or laughing or having fun - unscowl your face and put a smile on your dial. Resist the temptation to be a scrooge and let that smile break free. I loved the author L. M. Montgomery when I was growing up and she wrote about Emily - a strange child who had a beautiful smile. It was the sort of smile that took a long time to open. Montgomery tells of a situation where Emily is being whisked around a bunch of nosy old spinster relatives. She is feeling pretty down because she has just become an orphan - and she sees an Aunt she likes. Her smile begins, but she is whisked on to the next sour Aunt - who witnesses the full effect of her smile and is gobsmacked. I always wanted a smile like that! The kind of smile that people can’t help but be affected by.
I think a smile can change the world. Learning to smile despite severe circumstances is something that is priceless. In the Western World we grumble and complain about the price of petrol etc - while in tribal Africa, the bushmen who have bone dry wells, handfuls of grain to survive on, bony livestock and no money can show the biggest, happiest smile to a guest or stranger. Its humbling and we ought to learn from it! Smiling can change the world - its up to us to make it happen!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
HighGrace 08.14.08 at 11:04 pm
What a great article! I was told this years ago when I worked as a stockbroker, but nice to see it confirmed. It really does work.
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