Every morning I wake up with the feeling that I am being watched, and I open my eyes to see the youngest of our little five-pound dogs sitting motionless in front of me, staring at my face. If I don’t smile, she doesn’t change her position, but the minute I smile… and I always do, because she is just so incredibly cute… her tail starts wagging furiously and she’s all over me in a frenzy of happiness.

Think about it. To everyone, all over the world, a smile is the universal expression of friendliness and goodwill, and even a tiny baby recognizes that a smile is a happy thing.

Smiling is also good for you… it lowers your blood pressure, helps your immune system to work better, and releases natural pain killers, endorphins, and serotonin.

There is no downside to a genuine, warm smile, and for that grumpy or harried someone who is having a really bad day, your friendly smile can be a real mood changer.

Try giving the gift of a smile… and giving it freely throughout your day. You may be surprised at what a difference a smile can make!


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Comments

Daria

Love this! Love your blog too!! Thanx.

Larry W

You make a good point. A smile is so simple but it can be so powerful. How much better off would we all be if everyone tried to smile a little more as they go through their day? Really like the blog, btw.

robin

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. They are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”
-Joseph Addison

“With mirth and laughter
Let old wrinkles come.”
-William Shakespeare

“If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.”
-Andy Rooney

Hope these make you smile…

Jack

This reminds me of a somewhat unrelated story. I remember waking up next to my old dog when I was still living with my parents. We were both groggy and not exactly ready to get out of bed. I looked at him, and he looked back. I yawned. HE THEN yawned. The really funny thing is that I THEN felt compelled to yawn. I guess yawning, even across species, is contagious. The smiles that went back and forth that morning were even more so.

Terrye

My Mom died when I was 15 and had been bedfast for the last 5 years of her life. When I was going through her things a few weeks after the funeral I found, in her billfold, a little poem she had cut out of a magazine. It was well worn so I assume she had pulled it out and read it often.

They might not need me, but they might.
I’ll let my smile be just in sight.
A smile as small as mine might be
Exactly their necessity.

I cant tell you how much I missed that smile.

Shirley (Choosing Voluntary Simplicity)

Terrye, thank you for sharing your story and this poem. Your Mom must have been a very special lady.

Terrye

She was a great lady, and thanks for the kind note, Shirley. For this site I should have chosen a funny story but this was the story that came to mind.

Fran

I can see why you would smile. That little dog is just adorable! I just wanted to tell you that you are an inspiration to me. Your posts have helped me so much.

KymC

We had a little dog like that when we were first married. Seeing yours brought tears to my eyes. We loved that dog so much. Great post.

Kat

Not only did I smile, but I laughed out loud at how your morning starts. I could see it, I could feel it. Lovely for you and lovely for me to think about. Thank you. I will remember to smile today, as I am usually the grumpy curmudgeon :]