How Your Smile Can Change the World

Could simply smiling more often actually change the world for the better?

Researchers and self-help gurus have long observed that smiling has a physiological upon the body that causes you to feel happier. Put a smile on your face right now and then try to feel bad while maintaining the smile. Don't try too hard! I don't want you to break anything. ;-)

Simply smiling has a transformative effect upon your neurology that creates a more positive frame of mind. A recent study indicated that there may be a strong connection between frequent, warm smiling and longevity. Importantly, researchers have observed that a bright, radiant smile is contagious, and that leaders who smile are both more successful and have smiling, happy, employees, constituents and followers.

In other words, smiling makes you happy, makes others happy, is good for your health and spreads contagiously to others.

For the rest of the day, and tomorrow, try smilng at everyone you see. Make sure it is a genuine, bright, cheerful, warm and radiant smile. In other words, smile from your heart. When you are by yourself, smile to yourself. Keep a grin on your face. Be happy just to be alive, be happy that you have the oppportunity to smile at people, just be joyful. If you keep a smile on your face this will be quite easy.

Watch the effect this has on the people you encounter. Many will smile cheerfully back at you, and you will know that you have brightened their day. You have brightened the world a little with your act. Who knows what might come of this? Perhaps the person you cheered will cheer someone else and it will spread. It might even spread all the way to world leaders and more loving decisions will be made. There are after all only six degrees of separation between you and every other person.

On the other hand, some people may not smile back at you. This is perfectly okay. Those people will still be cheered by your smile, they just aren't quite ready to let go and just enjoy existence. You should still smile at them.

The more people smile at them, the more their gruffness will melt away until one day they will break down and smile at someine, perhaps it will be you. After all, smiling is contagious. Your joy is a gift you can share that you will not lose when you share it. In fact, it grows. If someone doesn't want the gift it is just fine. The joy is still yours either way. If people accept your joy and radiate it back to you then your joy grows all the more. Happiness is something that should always be shared.

If your smile is returned with a frown or a scowl, just be patient. That person is trapped in fear and doubt, and only joy and love will ever set them free. There is no reason to feel angry, hurt or even sad for someone who is not ready to smile. Everyone will find joy when they are ready. Find yours today. Share that radiant smile from your depths, and change the world.

:-)