I haven’t always been one to walk around with a big smile on my face. In fact, when I was younger, in my late teens/early 20′s, people I didn’t know used to approach me – at the gym, on the street – and say, “You should smile more! Life’s not that bad!”
Has this ever happened to you? At the time it drove me crazy. I realize now I got upset because deep down I wasn’t happy and didn’t feel like I had anything to smile about. Now that I’m older and have worked through that unhappiness, I find myself smiling a lot more.
On Thanksgiving morning when I woke my husband asked, “What are you thankful for?” My answer was easy and included all of the things in my life that make me smile. Since smiling more definitely feels good, I thought I’d share a few of these things today.
Recently I had a week when I wasn’t feeling so good. My husband took the following picture and emailed it to me. I couldn’t help but smile. (I’m sorry if this grosses some of you out, it made me laugh).
For those who know me well, you know how I feel about my “boys”. Even when mischievous, they always make me smile.
My family has always been my #1. Near or far, I am so lucky they are my family. (Pic #1 Me with my niece and nephew. Pic #2 Me, my sister, my mom, my uncle. Pic #3 Me and my dad)
My husband. My best friend, biggest fan and a big reason I am where I am today.
Additionally, I’m thankful for my health, my work and my ability to think and choose freely. Also for my home. After 7.5 years, I still walk down the stairs sometimes and say, “Wow, I love this house!” All of those things put a smile on my face.
And finally to everyone out there who has ever read my blog, attended a program, subscribed to my newsletter, sent me an email, made me laugh, or benefited in some way from my words and let me know, “Thanks that felt good”. All of you put a smile on my face. And I appreciate that.
No longer do I hear from strangers, “Hey you should smile more!” And on those days when I don’t feel like smiling, knowing I have tools available to me to get through it, that it’s a temporary phase and soon I will smile again, that is feel good living.
What puts a smile on your face? Have you shared a smile with someone recently?
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I used to hear the same thing when I was younger, I never smiled. I smile a lot now. I smiled when I saw how many other people were out walking on Thanksgiving morning. I smiled when I saw Santa going down my street this morning in a sleigh pulled by horses and followed by tons of children. I smiled while I was making pumpkin pie thinking about going to see my family tomorrow. And I’m trying to smile at my aching legs knowing they have carried me on so many miles of walking this week.
It is amazing how quickly we can get back to smiling. Simply changing our focus and remembering intimately a good time turns us into that smiling person. Learning how humans work and honestly chatting with people puts a smile on my face.
Hey, it’s happy eggs!!
Love the pictures, Stacey – especially the sense of joy in all of them.
It’s good to be here. And…you put a smile on my face…thanks for sharing “you” in this space.
I love what you have written, “And on those days when I don’t feel like smiling, knowing I have tools available to me to get through it, that it’s a temporary phase and soon I will smile again, that is feel good living.” Thumbs up!!
Leanna – Thanks for sharing. Those all sound like wonderful things to smile about! I love this time of year.
Jarrod – Chatting with others definitely puts a smile on my face, even when we agree to disagree! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comments.
Lance – I know, isn’t the picture funny? Thanks!
Evelyn – Thank you. I think that is an important thing to remember. Not every day is one to smile about, but do you have the tools you need to get through it and smile again. Thanks for stopping by!