Smile in the Mirror

We can increase the chances of having a better day, regardless of what we are facing, by greeting ourselves first thing in the morning. with a smile in the mirror.  And, with so many reflective surfaces, we can bolster the positive feeling each time we catch a glimpse of ourselves.  A smile can be, not only the gift we give others, but a perpetual gift we give ourselves.  

Smile in the Mirror

Before we leave the house each morning, we all use a mirror to ensure that we've accomplished the essentials.  Unfortunately, I've encountered successful individuals who don't also use their mirrors to offer a warm, validating and encouraging smile to themselves.  Smiling at ourselves in the mirror each morning is a great way to start the day.  It's easier to provide a smile to another when we've already received one.  Sometimes the gifts we give ourselves keep on giving.

Tiny Matters

It's easy to forget how big tiny things can be:
a smile
an ant bite
a wave
1 degree from freezing or boiling
a lucky penny
1 test point between letter grades
a spec in your eye
a bang trim
a splinter
an encouraging word
a seed
pepper between your teeth
a thank you
a minute before or after a filing deadline
a split second between first place and second

Everything's connected and it all matters.

Yellow Toothbrush

This week, I opened a new package of toothbrushes and chose my favorite color, yellow.  Instantly, I was so impressed that I asked my husband and son if they, too, needed a new toothbrush.  Toothbrushes, like most other things have become high tech.  This particular purchase incorporated pleasing design features with soft bristles, but was a drugstore brand, not a widely recognized, broadly marketed product.  Of the hundreds of toothbrushes I've had, this one is the first I've ever thought much about and actually tried to share a similar one with family members.  My fascination is multi-faceted:

• I've consciously chosen my favorite color for something that I use twice per day.
• Though most toothbrushes accomplish the task, this one is gentle and effective.
• I love bargains that are actually, in my perception, the best available product.
• It's a daily, happy reminder that simple pleasures have high, positive impact.
• It makes me smile each time a brush my teeth.

2013 is my year of yellow toothbrushes and their cousins.

40,000 Smile Check-up

For years, as I've left my long-time dentist's office, after our visit I've quipped that I'm good for another 100,000 miles.  Today, Dr. T retorted that I'm good for 100,000 smiles, which is far better than mere miles.  That intrigued me to do the math.

Readily available statistics revealed the following average smiles per day:

• babies - 400
• children - 200
• women - 62
• men - 8

My demeanor is cheerful and friendly, smiling often, when I'm with others and when I'm alone. Thus, if I'm just over a child's smile average, my six month check-up is actually a 40,000 smile
check-up.

What's your smile quotient?

Why Aren't You Smiling?

I've had the opportunity to stand in many airport security lines and have become puzzled by the fact that very few people are smiling.  Most travelers are visiting loved ones, taking care of business or returning home after a trip.  Anticipation of a great visit, successful business meeting and homecoming are all reasons to smile.  Gratitude for love in my life and an exciting job brings a smile to my face.

Smile

Nothing conveys interest more easily and convincingly than a smile.  Babies instinctively return smiles at an early age. Strangers become a bit more familiar when smiles are exchanged.   Just thinking of friends and loved ones evokes smiles. 

A smile is a picture that can convey a thousand words and emotions - love, affection, familiarity, approachability, glee, joy, pride, acknowledgement, humor, connectivity...