Smile a While and Another Smiles! (Fr. TJ. Puliyan, MSFS)

“Smile a while another smile; there arise miles and miles of smiles; life is worthwhile because You smile.”

I am not sure who said it, but I know it is well said. It is very accurate in real life. A smile flows freely like a river on the face of humans, beyond the boundaries of creed, color, culture, ethnicity, race, and nationalities. For a smile, it does not matter if you are young or old, black or white, male or female. It will always follow you day and night like your own dear self and your own shadow, provided you have the willingness to take it, use it, and admire it. It is beautiful, light, weightless, and adds more to any person’s charm, beauty, and grace.

A person with a smile on their face is more approachable and appreciated than a grumpy person. William Shakespeare said, “Face is the index of the mind.” What is within a person is reflected on the face. A beautiful smile is just like a crown on the head of a king. Sometimes, we meet people with beautiful smiles on their faces, and their smiling faces stick with us even if we forget them and their names. There is an innate energy in all of us to be drawn to those who smile.

A smile is contagious, and it spreads faster than the fastest virus. The part of the brain responsible for controlling the facial expression of smiling is an unconscious automatic response area. That is why most of the time, smiles become an unconscious and automatic response. It can be completely unconscious, particularly when it comes to our habit of mimicking others. Therefore, it is scientifically proven that smiles are contagious. There is a saying; “It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.

” A smile creates positive sparks that can form and transform emotions, feelings, actions, attitudes, and even at times, very life itself. It is like a wildfire that can spread all around and burn down the walls of enmity, animosity, hostility, hatred, aversion, distaste, dislike, jealousy, pride, arrogance, and aversion. Wow! What a wonderful gift! You have a remedy on your own face for all the unnecessary baggage of tension, stress, distress, strain, pressure, worry, anxiety, difficulty, pain, and agony that you carry without being aware.

A smile is a natural therapy that lets you release all the negativities you absorb unwantedly every day. When you smile, your brain recognizes those positive moments of the past and relaxes your brain. A smile is a natural drug that can make you feel good in body and spirit. Smiling releases endorphins, natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together, these three neurotransmitters make you feel good from head to toe and elevate your mood to relax your body and reduce physical pain.

A smile can make you look younger, attractive, and more youthful. The muscles used to smile, lift the face, and make you appear younger. Instead of a facelift, try to smile throughout the day, and you will certainly feel better. Scientific studies have proven a strong link between good health, longevity, and smiling, no matter whether the smile is a true expression of interior joy or just facial shapes or movements. A smile can recreate a new you within and refresh your mind, spirit, and body as it can perform miracles in your immune system.

A smile sets you in the right direction in life as it has a tremendous effect on your mood and attitude. People who smile regularly are those who are more confident and successful. When you are in the right mood and attitude, you can be much more productive in your mission and profession. Smiling is an electric power on your face that can renew and recreate others’ lives in a safe and positive environment. It makes you a more likable, comfortable, peaceful, competent, attractive, and courageous person. A smile brings joy and laughter within you that will radiate to all other areas of your life like the sunshine on a cloudy day. Smiling keeps you positive, optimistic, and resilient all through the day.

Just as you wear clothes on your body every day, so also wear a smile on your face! Set the tone for your new day with a smile on your face and make every day a New Day, A New Beginning, and a New Life! Smiling heals, frees, liberates, binds, and makes life worth living because You Smile! Relax and take it easy!!!! After all, we have only one life to live now!