Remember to Smile

We are an angry country right now — these are angry times.

“fried egg in bowl” by KS KYUNG on Unsplash

There has to be something in the water, maybe it is all the pharmaceuticals we are peeing into our drinking water? Are there mind altering brain waves coming through social media to make us angry? Somebody, please get me the aluminum foil!

You wake up every day, you breathe one more breath, your heart continues to beat. You are able to move on through the rest of the day. Some days there are more bonus points than others, but guess what? You are still here, in this moment, and you have the choice to make — be a jerk or be nice. Hopefully, you choose “be nice” since that is how you wish to be treated.

When you meet people every morning on your way to wherever it is you go every day, how do you greet those that you know? What sort of look do you have on your face? Is it a slack, deeply drawn face? Is your face pinched in pain or thought? Is it a scowl because the line at Starbucks or the gas station was longer than you intended? Why are you so angry? Pay attention to the non-verbal cues, your physical communications, you are broadcasting and be aware of how that affects everyone around you.

“toddler sitting on brown wooden chair” by Wang Xi on Unsplash

How do babies react when you make a face? What do babies do when you smile? They begin to smile too, they mimic your face. How do you feel when they do that? Are you angry? I certainly hope not. No, you are most likely overcome with happiness, love, wonder, and cheer.

The same thing when you meet people in a crowd or you meet co-workers in the office, if you walk into the conference room all storm and fury, how did they react? Do they reflect your anger? Your anxiety? They most likely mirror your affectations. What if you were to walk into that same room smiling, even jovial perhaps? How do you think it will be received? We would suspect that everyone in that room would smile back. How do you think that meeting will go?

“two men having conversation while walking” by rawpixel on Unsplash

What happens when you smile? You brighten the day! You brighten your own life, as well as those lives around you. Smiling releases the feel-good chemistry inside your brain and body. Neuropeptides begin to do their work. You get a shot of dopamine and become happier. You shift mentally and you feel better physically. Others around you become infected with the same smile, it lightens the mood and it makes things easier to bear.

Have you ever heard the term “fake it until you make it?” What if you were to fake a smile? Do you think you will be angry? Nope. It will begin to trick your brain into being happy.

What do we gain by running around fretfully, stress and strain visible on our faces? Are we looking for sympathy? Are we looking for someone to notice? Are you the drama type — the one that runs around ChickenLittletheskyisfalling — there are crises (plural) around the corner? Angry, unhappy, plain crazy out of your head? Do you think people are going to help you — or avoid you?

STOP.

Slow down.

Take a breath.

iiiiinnnn…hold…oooouuuuuuttttttt.

Relax. Smile.

Smile big! Bigger. Chuckle even.

“three men and one woman laughing during daytime” by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Now go find someone you can hand your smile off to, and help brighten their day.

Go forth and be brilliant.