| Get to Know Your Smiles |
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Sometimes your joy is the source of your
smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
-Thich Nhat Hanh |
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From "Choose Peace and Happiness: A 52-Week Guide," by
Susyn Reeve:
Smiling is a simple, magical gesture
that expresses peace and happiness. It is a gift that we can easily
give. When we give it away to others, we clearly get the benefit of
the energy of the smile moving through us. I remember hearing on a
stress management video many years ago that it takes seventeen
muscles to smile and forty-three to frown. So it involves much less
effort than a scowl, and in the words of a Ziggy cartoon, 'A SMILE
is a facelift that's in everyone's price range!'
I have noticed the power of a smile to change my experience in
the moment. I have recently returned to practicing yoga. Usually
once or twice during our class, the instructor, Ani Kalfayan, will
say, 'Turn up the corners of your mouth. Yoga is meant to be
joyful.' I follow her instructions, and immediately I experience a
lightness of being. As I do this, my eyes are usually closed, and I
feel the power of my smile embracing me. I have also noticed the
power of a smile when I am paying a cashier. Words may not even be
exchanged and magic immediately happens. A connection is made, and
the present moment becomes a precious present. I am also aware that
I have another smile. It's the sourpuss smile, and behind this smile
a judge is holding court, doling out judgments, and communicating to
others what I may be thinking I am hiding.
This week, get to know your smiles and use your smiles to share
your love and be a gateway to moving your experience from sad to
glad. Play and smile and imagine all the peace and happiness we
would experience each and every day if we let a smile lead our way.
HOW TO DO IT
DAY 1: Give away fifty smiles today. As a reminder, write SMILE
in bright letters on your calendar, on Post-Its you put around your
house, car and workplace. Put it on your screen saver, as a reminder
message on your Palm Pilot; leave yourself a Voicemail message that
says, SMILE.
DAY 2: Smile to yourself fifty times today. When you are walking
down the street and your notice a neutral _expression_ or a frown on
your face, SMILE. While you're in the shower, SMILE.
DAY 3: Make a list of all the things and memories that make you
smile when you think about them. Post the list somewhere where you
can see it, and five times today look at the list, choose an item
from your list, and put your attention on it, feeling a smile fill
your being. This is a powerful practice of consciously choosing
where to focus your attention. The more practice we have, the more
easily we can access happy thoughts when drama thoughts are flirting
with us. You are strengthening your happy thoughts muscle today.
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