Start Your Kindness with a Smile
Day 3 of Practicing Agapé
I took the above photo in November of 2022. It was an ugly day, howling winds, rain, snow, sleet, and then sunshine and a rainbow. If you look closely to the right, you will see the beginnings of a double rainbow.
Rainbows make us smile, even when the weather that causes them is ugly. Rainbows are beautiful.
“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
“A simple smile. That’s the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others.” ~ Dalai Lama
Do you smile…
Waking up?
Going to work?
Leaving work?
Being with those you love?
Do you let a day go by without smiling?
Research shows that smiling has many benefits. I looked at several sites to find examples of science-backed research to smiling. There is a great deal on line, not just on smiling, but also on mindful meditation. Meditation is not our focus today — SMILING is, but what follows is research from Mindfulness Meditation:
One piece from the infographic:
Who doesn’t want to relieve anxiety in today’s world?
It seems like a smile is the way to start.
Your Task for Day 3:
Get out and smile — at nature, at children, at something funny, or just because you feel good. Let us know what you felt in the comments. Any mood changes? Any revelations? Make us all smile with your comments.
P.S. Some music to make you smile — thee is such musicality in this man!
And if you want more smiles….check out this orchestra and a Mamma Mia medley - at 11:45 minutes for the encore, watch the pure joy on everyone’s faces, and hear the enthusiasm of the audience.
If you have a good video or quote or anything that makes you smile, put it in the comments!
In French, we have this saying that I love and that says it all in a nutshell:
"Souris à la vie et la vie te sourira."
In English, that would be: "Smile at life and life will smile back at you."
Smile is the door opener to all hearts.
Babies know that.