![\"Smile](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sallybsedgwick.com\/conversation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/4413536619_fc44b90753_o.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThere is research, and lots of writing, that says it\u2019s good for you. Andrew Newberg in his book in How God Changes our Brain<\/i> has \u201cSmile\u201d as number eight in his list, \u201c8 Ways to Exercise Your Brain.\u201d\u00a0 I think it is eight because it is the most obvious, but apparently smiling actually leads to neurological changes.<\/p>\n
But that\u2019s the rub, isn\u2019t it? Is it right? Is it a genuine smile? Do they really mean it? What\u2019s with that tight lipped look? Yeah, I\u2019ll never trust anyone who looks like that. Or even why should I smile at that idiot, she just thinks she\u2019s better than I am. I\u2019m not making this last one up. Apparently people who feel powerful, even unconsciously, don\u2019t smile at people who they think might be better than they are. Confused yet? But I wouldn\u2019t take this research<\/a>\u00a0too seriously. If you want to expand your life, be healthier, and help change the world – yours and others – keep reading here!<\/p>\n For the point here is that this isn\u2019t about what others do. Remember? This is about the small things you can do. Challenge the perceptions. Apparently when doing yoga a small, half smile helps you have a better workout. It sends messages to the brain that you can relax and all is well – and it has nothing to do with if you mean it.<\/p>\n Practice smiling at people as you walk down the street or cruise the grocery store, not After writing this I walked down the street and practiced. A mom holding her daughter who turned shy – and the mom and I shared a smile. The all-business guy who didn’t smile, but seemed compelled to ask, \u201cHow are you?\u201d And the postman who yelled, \u201cHow are you?\u201d with a huge, owning the universe smile.<\/p>\n Stories? Thoughts? How has it changed you and those you meet?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo credits (from top): As I got out my car in the grocery store parking lot, the kid wrangling shopping carts flashed me a smile and suddenly I felt feminine, attractive, interesting, and even a bit sexy. I didn\u2019t know I was missing these, … Continue reading <\/a>Meanwhile, smiling seems to be popular with researchers and bloggers, bosses and babies. One example is an article by Naomi Simson<\/a>, Founder of RedBalloon, who talks about always carrying a smile with her and making smiles genuine. This is the basics of getting this right.<\/p>\n<\/a>because you’re happy, but just to elicit a response. It\u2019s about wishing them a good day, great life, not about how you are. Although however you are I\u2019m betting that after the third one your mood will be up and you find yourself looking for the most unlikely person to engage. That toddler who is \u201cplaying\u201d with you when her mom isn\u2019t looking? The homeless dude who values an acknowledgement he\u2019s human? The well coiffed woman at the corner who will barely look at you? The TSA agent when you leave your driver\u2019s license at security? (Yes, well, a rueful smile was all that was needed there.) My favorite is getting the checkout person who is having a no good, terrible, very bad day to smile at least a little. And yes, notice when you don\u2019t smile (I\u2019m important and so I won\u2019t smile at you? I\u2019m so tired and not sure if that person will engage?) and try one anyway.<\/p>\n<\/a>So this is your homework. Practice. Report in. It will change you along with those around you. Promise.<\/p>\n
\nSmile Pendant – BlueIsCoool
\nEthan – SpiritMoxie
\nSonia Brooks<\/a> – SpiritMoxie
\nReminder – Ganasha Balunsat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"