Smile A Little Smile For Me

Smile. Go ahead. Turn those lips up. Show those pearly whites if you like. Just smile. Won't cost ya a dime. Not painful in anyway. Go ahead, give me a little grin. You're doing it, aren't you? Just me writing this and you reading this is causing the corners of your mouth to turn up just a bit, right? Good! Good for you! It's amazing what a simple little smile can do. I've heard it burns more calories then frowning, because you engage more muscles. And who doesn't want to burn more calories, right? And if that's not enough for you, think about how wonderful you feel when you smile. It's not easy to be angry or bitter or depressed or fearful when you're smiling. But if burning up extra calories and making yourself feel good on the inside ain't enough for you, then think on this a minute. . . when you smile, you make others smile. And when they smile, they burn calories and feel good too! Win! Win! Win! Win! Next time you're at the supermarket or gas station or movie theater or hair salon, take a little test. Put a big ol smile on your face before you walk in the door. Walk right on over to that grumpy looking employee who has likely been standing on their feet all day trying to please demanding customers who simply refuse to be pleased all for the oh-so-generous minimum wage and say, "hello". As you continue to smile, a genuine smile not some pretend - forced smile, ask them how they are, how their day has been, how much longer til it's quitting time. Engage them in conversation and keep on smiling. Let them see the happiness inside you via the smile on your face. Let them know through conversation that you see them as another human and not just some servant whose only purpose is to provide for your needs or wants. In order to score an "A" on your test (and who doesn't want an "A", right?), the person you engage must smile back at you. So go ahead. Go shopping with a smile. And don't just shop for groceries, gas, movies and hair-dos. Shop for smiles! Those are far better then anything you can purchase. They're free and they make the world a better place. They just do. Happy shopping!