I asked my husband what he thought was my best feature the other day. For sure I thought he would say my eyes, because he always compliments me on them, but he surprised me and said it was my smile. It made me think of the years I did not smile and wore my pain on my face. I look around and see so many people the way I felt inside, silently unhappy. It sometimes feels as if I am looking in a mirror and seeing all the pain, shame, frustration, resentment and regret that others are holding on to. The great part is that you can choose to let it all go. It is easy to change and feel great now.  I can already hear the voices of some that will be angry with my statement. Feel the need to hold on to the misery and discomfort and would feel too much remorse letting it go. I hear you, I was there. I had thirteen years vested in being and feeling miserable.

A smile can make you feel happy. Fortunately, I learned that it didn’t need to continue and I deserved better, as did my family and friends around me. I decided to be the light that brightens a room instead of darkens it. I choose to be the one that attracts good in my life versus settling for evil. I made a decision.  It was that easy! Then came the work. I had to practice. It didn’t come naturally. I spent the better part of my life complaining and seeing the glass half empty I needed to learn new tools to fill it up again and I did. Here I would like to share some of them with you.

5 Reasons to Smile

1. A smile will make you feel good. Try to feel sad while you are smiling, it is impossible. Smiling sends a message to your brain that you’re happy. When you are happy endorphins get released that make you feel good. Think of something that makes you smile. Find things to be grateful for and put a smile on your face. If this doesn’t come naturally to you practice and clinch a pen between your teeth to imitate a smile. Do it often enough that is becomes a genuine smile.

2. Smiling is Contagious. It costs nothing but gives much. Someone made millions off putting that on a t-shirt. Just the thought of a smiley face today puts a smile on my face. I love being on vacation in my own home town. I always hear people say after returning from vacation, “the people were friendly there.” That isn’t necessarily true. What normally happens is we let our guard down and begin smiling because we are happy we are away and as a by product you notice what has always been there when you show up with a smile. There have been times I would be ahead of my husband in a crowd and all of a sudden, as we would move against the current, he would see a wave of expression as I would pass. One after another would follow with a smile. It is quite fun really. Your smiling can help make others feel happy too. Try it!

3. Smiling Causes Happiness. The theory goes back to Darwin, who proposed in the 19th century that facial expressions didn’t only reflect emotions, but also caused them. This doesn’t mean that unhappiness will go away but in a state of emotional neutrality, by putting a smile on your face will put you in the right direction of feeling happier. Scientific component that “smiling releases serotonin”. Serotonin acts as a natural anti-depressant, and helps regulate your mood, sleep, and even your learning.

4. Smiling Makes You More Attractive. Can we say “Cheese”. Why do we take pictures and ask everyone to say “Cheese”? It is to put a smile on their face and make them look more attractive and happy. This is also helpful when you are looking to attract an individual. Studies have shown that a smile can increase someone’s willingness to trust by 10%!

5. Smiling Opens Your World to More Possibilities. A smile will help you see the big picture. It will be brighter and lighter and have more opportunities. When we are in a positive state we can see more clearly and more things become possible.

Start today and make a conscious effort to smile! 🙂