A Smile Can Change Everything
“Smiles everyone, smiles!” I can almost hear the rich accent of Ricardo Montablan’s character, Mr. Roarke, from the 1970’s TV series, “Fantasy Island.” If you’re familiar with the show, you’ll remember it’s how he greeted his guests as they arrived on the island.
It might sound silly, but I think he was on to something. We don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Can you imagine arriving to your dream vacation, or anywhere really, only to be greeted with annoyance, frustration, or even ignored? To say the least, it wouldn’t set a great tone.
The reality is, a smile can make such a difference. Not only does it have the potential to impact whoever sees it in a positive way, it also has the power to change our own mindset. There’s research that shows smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and other natural painkillers. The result - we feel better, and our mood elevates. It can also relax our bodies and help reduce physical pain. Impressive!
Not only is it impressive, but it’s also true! The other day I was exercising, and I was exhausted. I felt every ounce of the weight of my frustration and my tired muscles. I took a breath and smiled. I felt my whole demeanor change! I think I even felt like I lost 5 lbs. That was probably in my attitude and not my actual weight, but it still felt good!
It made me think. What if I intentionally smiled even when I’m feeling the weight of whatever circumstance is in front of me? Moments when I’m not feeling like I’m friends with my husband. Or when it feels like every, single thing in my day ends up being a challenge or a frustration.
I’m sure you know those times too. When we’re worried about our kids…no matter how old they are. Or when we get the kind of news or diagnosis we never want to hear, and it feels like our worlds get turned upside down. Or when we just feel alone. Even in the moments when we wonder where God is. What if we pause our thoughts and smile?
There are plenty of references in the Bible encouraging us to smile or express joy, even in the trying times. And while I don’t always do this well, I do believe it’s a valuable thing to work on. But I was also reminded of the blessing God told Moses to tell the Israelites.
“May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 - CSB
That’s so pretty! And so much better than anything Mr. Roarke might have to offer. What a difference it can make to our outlook in remembering that God, the One who created us to be with Him, now and in heaven, is smiling down on us. We have the blessing of His love, grace, peace, and reassurance. So, let’s smile! We have every reason to for each other and ourselves!