I was humbled and uplifted after reading this chapter because I truly forgot in-depth reasons to smile. It was one of those things that sound so automatic when mentioned but easily overlooked in practice. Here’s a breakdown of impactful reasons to smile that instantly make your life one worth living.
If you need to be reminded why it’s important to smile, you’ve lost it. At least that’s what I judgementally told myself because I thought I had all the answers. Until I read this chapter.
Let’s begin.
Smiling Speaks to Your Personality
Your face is a major focus of your being. It’s the first thing people are drawn to when they come across you walking down the street, seated at your office, and chatting on your cell phone (if anyone still does that anymore).
Smiling is part of your Body Language. Which means it’s a chosen action. Attentive to it or not, people will notice it so learning to give off physically good energy with an important focal point is key to communicating the type of person you are.
The warmth that radiates off a smile is the first introduction to what comes out of your head. It’s the prologue to the words you are about to speak. Make it an attractive one.
How many times have we seen people not smile when they’re engaged or simply sitting with themselves? And what are the assumptions that are given off by someone who looks like they haven’t smiled in an eternity? “I definitely don’t want to be like that person when I get older” is likely the thought that crossed your mind. I know it‘s mine.
Smiles are Powerful Changers of Emotional States
Smiles encourage positive experiences. And they are infectious. Those are actually two reasons in one. Smiles have the power to change the emotional state of the people around you and most importantly, YOURSELF.
Smiling faces are a social preference and they attract anyone who seeks elevated experiences. Which is everyone. To this day I’ve never heard anyone say they seek connection with individuals who have a permanent frown on their face.
Positive expressions are way more effective than a negative invitation. When it comes to having a good time or working with or something out with others, a smile shows what you intend as the outcome of your engagement.
Smiling is an indication of enjoyment and if you want to get people to “get” you, a smile is a positive reinforcement of your ideas. Good vibes will be associated with what you have to say and will encourage people to listen to you with consideration.
You can even ‘hear’ when someone is smiling over the phone. That’s how powerful a positive attitude is.
A Pleasant Face generates Value
You silently tell people they are valuable when you smile at them. No, not a disingenuous smirk (and we all know one when we see it), but an honest smile.
The easiest thing to pull off when you’re feeling good.
It comes so naturally to us, but sometimes we allow the mishaps of the day to spill onto our expressions and forget that our face is what other people see when we are talking to them. When this happens it unfortunately leaves the other person feeling it was them that was off putting and not the bland croissant you had for breakfast.
Being able to put aside all the problems of our lives, which are endless but equally detrimental to our first impressions, we remember to tell the other person using our faces that we recognize their humanity.
And we’re sure there are people who need to be reminded that they are worth something; they are valuable; they are human.
Every person has value simply because, in a sense, they are you. And there is no better way of letting someone know than when you smile at them.
“You must have a good time meeting people if you expect them to have a good time meeting you.”
Dale Carnegie, How to win friends and influence people.
Finally: Remember Who You WANT to BE
Remember to be the kind of person you envision when considering the type of life you want to look back on. It’s so easy to let troubles dictate each one of your waking hours but doing so is an injustice to the preciousness of your existence.
Life is definitely a hard thing to deal with at times but it’s not the reason to allow suffering to dictate your character.
To smile in the face of adversity is an act of will. It’s an action that says you are taking control of your life and deciding how you want to remember yourself.
“Action and Feeling go hand-in-hand… You can regulate action because it’s under more direct control of the will… and by doing so we can indirectly regulate the feeling which isn’t.”
Quote by philosopher, william james.
You can literally change your whole being when you fix your mind on existing as the pleasant human being YOU want to be around.
When you’re feeling lonely without reasons atop this spinning ball in the universe…
Remember to become your own companion.
Put yourself in a good mood starting with a smile and act as if you are happy.
A smile is a sovereign, voluntary path to cheerfulness.
Smile more.
Happiness is literally in your hands (and mind).
“There is nothing either good or bad… but thinking makes it so.”
William shakespeare
But remember, thinking it won’t do you any good.
Unless you apply it.
Arts . Culture . Ideas 