Reasons To Smile

When you reflect on the journeys you have gone through in life up to this point, I hope that the ones that have made you smile the biggest, in turn, ring the loudest! All too often I cross paths with people, whether complete strangers, acquaintences, friends or family members, and there is no smile to be found. In good fashion, I enjoy taking advantage of this moment! A refreshing joke, a nod of my head or even a simple smile across my face tends to reciprocate to me a dancing smile from the once somber person across from me. Now, don't get me wrong... I, too, have those moments where a smile cannot be found. But, somehow, my subconscious generally knows to guide my synapses to a place of happiness, where I am enveloped in all of the delicate thoughts of peace and love and the occassional trip and fall that I witness (yes, I typically smile/laugh hysterically at the unfortunate tumbles I am privy to). Smiling is addictive and, whether you know it or not, may be just the thing that the people you come in contact with need the most. While one of the easiest things to give, it can often be one of the most overlooked. So, in an effort to convince people of the benefits of smiling AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I will share with you 10 reasons why "I love smiling! Smiling's my favorite!". (list cited from Gillian Fisher, 6/19/09)

1. Health
Smiling changes the chemistry in your body and not just puts a smile on your face, but it sends a smile through your whole body. All the cells in your body plump up and become more resilient, because of positive hormones that flow through.

2. Mental Well being
Smiling is contagious, usually if you see one person smiling other people are smiling around them. Strangely enough as an onlooker you may just start smiling yourself.

3. Psychologically
Smiling can change your mood. One day you may be in a real slump of a mood and all you have to do is smile and your day creeps slowly out of it's mote and starts to shine.

4. Social Life
Smiling is fresh to look at and more people are attracted to you. If you are usually a smiling person, you are like a breath of fresh air that walks into a room.

5. Family Life
If you are a parent or sibling in a family, you can really warm up your family life and take tension away by just casting a smile to your family members. Being conscious of how many times you don't smile will make you conscious to smile. Why not smile?

6. Builds Self Esteem
When you smile you take away negative thoughts, hence are more apt to do things that you might normally be afraid to do. Bringing you closer to your life path.

7. Teaches Forgiveness
Sometimes it is very difficult to smile when you see a person you are angry with. When you think about what a smile does...and you just smile, the other person reflects your smile. It may take a few minutes, but a laugh may ensue...Forgiveness has already happened.

8. Emotion
If you are depressed and are having difficulty getting out of you're downing life. A conscious smile done daily, more often enough will eventually shine a light on depression. Life will start to unfold in good ways that you never thought possible.

9. Faith
Smiling is real and can awaken ideas, thoughts and faith.

10. Free
Smiling won't cost you a dime, nickel or penny. It is free for the taking and the giving. It is not only for just some people, but also for all people. It is our unique innate way of healing us in our daily life!

If you don't think these 10 reasons are reasons enough to smile, just look at this picture! Sometimes, this is the only reason anyone needs!

Have a great day and don't forget to smile!