“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. In order to want to smile more, it really helps to know what benefits a smile can bring to our day. The benefits are sure to make us want to share a smile with others today.
Smiles make things right again and say much more than words can. If we have messed up, said something less than complimentary, feel lost or alone, or feel down, a smile can restore the balance. It lets other people know that we are prepared to be open with them, and that we are willingly agreeing to make up where needed.
Smiles create trust and rapport. A smile is a great way of establishing mutual feelings of being on the same level as others, whether that is one-to-one or in front of a group giving a presentation. It says “I’m good, you’re good, and we’re all going to enjoy one another’s company.”
Smiles make you feel good. Even if we are feeling a little down, insert happy thoughts into our mind and just add that smile. It will trick our mind into feeling better, as endorphins are released to reduce physical or emotional stress.
Smiles improve your appearance. Charles Gordy once said “A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks”. All we need to do is think about how we feel about a person who is frowning and a person who is smiling – who tends to be the better looking?
Smiling is a good long-term predictor of happier life outcomes. It is correlated with health, happiness, friends, success, and a longer life.
“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
Mother Teresa
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