When I was a clinical lab manager in Dallas, I had a colleague who was known to be a most difficult person. (Yes, even more difficult than Moi!) We, her peers, staff, and even vendors often left her office either in tears or seething in anger. Most of us just did not go near her if we didn’t have to. One day at a staff meeting Cassie invited us to see the new name plate her husband had carved for her in his wood working shop. Passing by her office later, I stuck my head in to check it out.
Imagine my surprise when I read it: IF I’M SMILING, I’M RELOADING—CASSIE. Remember we lived in Texas! I chuckle now even as I write this because that said all it needed to say about how I had truly come to know her.
I was reminded of Cassie briefly while on retreat this past September in Costa Rica because smiles were something I saw in abundance. Yes, the beauty of Costa Rica’s rainforest with its flora and fauna was every bit a delight to enjoy, and yet, its people—like people everywhere—are the ones who truly made my time there feel special. By far Costa Ricans or “Ticos” as they call themselves, enjoy LIFE; and it shows. Because I am a “smiler” I was always pleasantly surprised to see my smile so warmly received and reciprocated. Even the meanest looking motor-biker would smile back.
Adults, children, teenagers, old men and women, young men and women and anyone in between—if you smiled, they automatically smiled back and not one of those fake ones either. Their smiles said, “hello, I see you and I am here, too.” Smiles are such mood boosters and from a wellness perspective they are quite beneficial.
I have noticed how a difficult yoga pose can be made to feel less difficult when I smile. This started me exploring the benefits of smiling. Did you know that besides being a mood booster, smiles do lots of other things? Smiles lower your blood pressure (a big one for me), boosts your immune system, lowers your stress level, and helps you stay positive. You cannot think negatively when you are smiling! The best part is that smiling is a choice that holds personal powerful benefit. I see it as a real part of my repertoire for being well and being me. If you are not already someone who smiles easily, consider it a spiritual training for your soul. Smiling just might make a new you.
But please do not use your smile as a bullet, like Cassie sometimes did. Intention matters. Instead, be like my friend, Joe. Instead of “goodbye” at the end of every call, Joe always reminds me to “KEEP SMILING!”
Thanks Joe…I will.
I am smiling with Love & Gratitude,
Freda Marie+