A smile to go!

Try if you can to keep a smile on your face.  I know it can hard, but the old adage “fake it till you make it” applies here! This little thing, if you will, changes not only how you feel over time, but changes people’s perception of you. Are you open or closed? Are you happy (a choice moment to moment) or not? Do you want to be more approachable, available to help others? Then this little tip is for you.

When I was sick I remember smiling when the lab sat 24 vials next to my arm…24! I weighed like 99 pounds! Was I smiling because I was happy or content? NOPE! Just the opposite, I was smiling so I would feel brave, more reachable (sometimes YOU are the one who need to be open to receive help) and maybe, just maybe to help someone else…there were lots of littles there at the cancer center…maybe they felt one little smidge less terrified by seeing an adult smile - not a wide open teeth showing kind of fake smile, just a small little hopeful smile. Sometimes it is eternally helpful to get your mangled in a stress ball insides to match your outside (remember that smile, right?)!

At any rate, take a minute to plaster a small smile on your face when faced with someone you don’t care for, a situation that is uncomfortable for you in some way, or even just because. YOUR smile might just be the HOPE someone needs to be ok with today. You never know what it might offer to the universe…or what it might bring back your way. I know there are many of you struggling and I know this can be particularly hard on a bad day…just try it and give yourself permission to be human if you don’t remember every time…when you can, try it and see how it feels!

I am thankful for you stopping by today! For you lurkers reading, I appreciate you…feel free to leave a note, start a conversation or just say Hi! Help me to not feel so lonely as this blog gets off the ground…J