Have you smiled?
It’s easy to smile when things are going well. But when you’re tired and frustrated, did you smile?
It doesn’t take much effort to smile when you are feeling great. But when you don’t feel as well and stress is pulling down the corners of your mouth, have you turned them up instead and smiled?
Have you smiled at a stranger who looked like they were having a hard day? It might be the only ray of light they have that day.
Have you smiled at someone who doesn’t speak your language? Smiles doesn’t need translating, they are the same in English as in Russian, the same in French as in Swahili.
Here’s a challenge, see how many smiles you can collect from others today. And see how much joy you find doing it. I don’t say this will be easy, but if you feel like you can’t smile, pray and ask Christ to give you a smile. He can keep you smiling. I know, I’ve tested, tried it, and found it true. Have you?
How many people have you smiled at today? Did you try smiling when you didn’t feel like it? What is your favorite quote about smiles? Do you have one?
I love this quote…”Smiles is the longest word in the dictionary because it’s a whole mile from the first S to the last S.”
I don’t think that’s the exact quote, but something like that.😊
You are so right, though!! A smile from even a complete stranger can warm you heart and make you feel better on a bad day!
Yes! I love that quote too. 🙂
I used to tell my students when I taught Chinese that a smile was the same in any language, so even if they didn’t know how to say “Hello, how are you?” they could still smile.
It’s always been in my nature to smile at people. To me it doesn’t take effort, it’s just what I’ve always done. It’s automatic somehow. Most of the time, a smile is returned to me and I feel warmth in my heart – but there are some times when I get a glaring look in return that results in a stab to my heart and I wonder what made those folks so averse to a simple smile. But I’ll continue to smile because I can’t help it.
Yes, Amy! I’m much the same way. I smile because it’s my nature to smile. I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten a glare, but sometimes people don’t smile back or just ignore me. That’s when it’s time to turn the smile into a prayer.
Thank you for the reminder to pray for them. :0
You’re welcome! I don’t always remember, but I should. *hugs*
“How many people have you smiled at today?” Now that got a smile out of me as I pictured walking around with a notebook keeping tally!
Well, I didn’t keep tally, but reading this this morning did have me thinking about how my attitude was affecting others all day, and had me flashing a smile to my neighbor and a repair man who I probably wouldn’t have otherwise (not sure if they saw it, but still!), and being more willing to talk for a moment with a neighbor who stopped by. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get up the courage to smile at some of the other neighborhood kids while they’re walking to school!
As for a favorite quote, well, it’s not exactly a quote, but I do like this poem by Emily Dickinson, “A Smile as Small as Mine”: “They might not need me—yet they might—
I’ll let my heart be just in sight—
A smile so small as mine might be
Precisely their necessity.”
That’s a great poem. Thanks for sharing it.
Yes, I did think about people going around keeping track of their smiles. 😉 I think one of those clicker counters would be the easiest way though.
I’m so glad this made you think a little and offer some extra smiles. 🙂 Keep smiling!