When you look at children they’re always smiling. If they are not smiling they are probably crying but the wonderful thing is, if they are crying they get over it so quickly and don’t hold on to it like us adults tend to.
Children are meant to be learning from us adults but I think we have so much to learn from the kids. They are the ones smiling, playing and laughing. They are the ones striking conversation and making friends with fellow kids at the park; they get so excited simply at the possibility of going on a train ride or going for a walk.
But not us serious adults…
Do you ever catch yourself saying things like: “I hate catching the train, I can’t believe it’s late by 2 mins now I am going to be late?”; “How dare they not offer me a seat”, ”Why are they looking at me? I just want to sit here and listen to my music”; “Why is our order taking so long?”
You’d think as we get older and wiser we get better at the whole happiness and life thing but social pressures and adulthood can drill that innate playfulness out of us.
So many of us need a gentle reminder that WE ARE HUMANS.
We are meant to connect.
We are meant to play, laugh and smile.
We are not robots and life is not meant to be so serious.
How can you snap out of it?
Start reminding yourself every day that the overtones in life don’t have to be steeped in seriousness, and it’s ok to take a moment to smile. I promise you it will feel amazing when you do this.
It has been proven in many studies that happier people tend to be healthier, even if you force a smile its proven to make you feel better on the inside and the outside.
Smile to yourself now to see and feel its power in action.
A smile really does have special powers. It can help you calm fear, insecurity, hurt and anxiety not only in yourself, but in others. So the next time someone is feeling sad, scared, nervous or whatever it may be, smile with them and see how this makes them feel!
Smiling can heal the world and because they’re contagious when you give them to the world, the world will give them back to you. Smile at the world and the world will smile back at you. As you begin to smile to yourself and others you will brighten the days of those around and make a difference in their lives – all with a simple smile!
Even 2Pac, the rap legend that passed away realised the benefits of smiling, in his lyrics to ‘Power of a Smile’ he raps:
“The power of a gun can kill, and the power of fire can burn
The power of wind can chill, and the power of mind can learn
The power of anger, can raise inside until it tears you apart
But the power of a smile, especially yours, can heal a frozen heart”
So remember the power of your beautiful smile – what it can do not only for you but for someone else.
Your only action plan right now is to drop the seriousness, lift those cheeks and smile (it’s that easy!). Smile at the lady crossing the street or the man walking the door. Smile at your kids, your partner your best friend.
Want more inspired happiness and reminders to smile? Go listen to my podcast, ‘The Get Happy Hour’, read my book ‘Get Happy Now’, or connect with me on Instagram. I’m making a conscious effort to do it and I’ll encourage you to do the same.