I have never had a problem driving in the snow, but driving in the pouring rain at night, that can be a bit stressful!… especially with my Mom sitting next to me, holding on for dear life.
Sensing a diversion was necessary, I said to her… “Mom, just smile.” We both smiled, and instantly we relaxed and were even laughing about, well, everything!
I tossed and turned and finally decided to get out of bed and do something. It was 4 am and it frustrated me, so I decided to smile;) Then my research began. I remembered having my hormones tested years ago, and the Doctor saying she couldn’t believe how happy I seemed as low as my hormone level was( I believe it was serotonin levels) I have always been easy going, peacemaking, free spirited, etc., so have always been aware that when I frown, I droop, and that is not acceptable!
A brief counseling session at church ,for depression, made me aware of my ‘countenance’ . According to Merriam Webster dictionary, it is a look, expression, composure as an indication of mood, emotion, or character. Proverbs 15:13 states….a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance. Sounds to me like a smile could have been somewhat helpful to my woes back then!
Again, from Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of a smile is…1. A facial expression in which the eyes brighten and the corners of the mouth curve slightly upward and which expresses especially amusement, pleasure, approval, or sometimes, scorn. 2. A pleasant or encouraging appearance.
Ah! The eyes brighten! Another reason to smile:) I have been noticing as I age, the eyes are looking tired, so I must smile more to remind myself I am “forever 42”! In “The Truth behind the Most Powerful Human Gesture:Smiling” by Susanna Halonen from Happyologist Website, practicing smiling has many benefits. Amongst them, when you smile with your eyes, the muscles around your eyes are activated. So flex those muscles , and just Smile;)
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Thank you for your blog article. Really looking forward to read more. Awesome. Trixie Umberto Grimes
…..and of course there are a ton of other benefits to smiling, but that would require doing an essay on! I frequently listen to Michael Jacksons version of “Smile” on YouTube and it is definitely my favorite of all the artists who perform it:). I encourage you to pick your favorite also. Keep on smiling;)
Trading in my Chrysler for a Prius and walking away from a 33 year marriage to take what would ultimately be a 28,626 mile journey to what I call “homelessness”, you can only imagine my delight when my financial adviser and life coach gave me a label for my account of “Forever Smiling!” – I agree with everything you have said, Alli. Thank you for the reminder. I remember when we first moved to Oregon and purchased family season passes to Mt. Bachelor. Rain or shine, we drug our three girls to the mountain to ski to take advantage of all the ski days we could. Most days Bachelor is under a cloud. When the girls would complain and whine to go home, I would make them stop and smile for sixty seconds. As you experienced with your Mom, Allison, at the end of our minute we were all laughing and racing down to the lodge for hot chocolate! – YOU make me smile too… Jody