Everyone smiles in the same language
So I’m sitting on set, in the sunny and hot temperature of Karachi, looking around the ‘thankfully air-conditioned room’ at my fellow actors who are getting ready for the next scene in this 100 episode drama, when my gaze stops at on one particular young actress who has this wonderful constant smile on her face, and she isn't even looking at me. An hour later I return to the air-conditioned room after completing my scene in order to get some face puffing make-up put on, and there she is again, talking to one of her colleagues, again with this continuous smile, and the smile is contagious, and I think to myself ‘what is there to smile about’? ‘Do I smile that much? Do I smile at all? Have I forgotten how to smile?
Maybe over the years our laughter and our smiles are not as much as they use to be in time gone by, or so we think, and sometimes try and justify this to ourselves by thinking that the past was ‘another time in another place’ which can not be brought back and that the world seems to be a more serious place of us now. But the simple truth of the matter is that we should not be living that much in the past, but if we do, we can at-least store those ‘happy memories’ be grateful and thankful for them, and use that experience to propel ourselves into the hear and now by making new memories with laughter and smiles.
There are many reasons for gently reminding ourselves that we should be smiling more. I remember that I have been lucky enough in the past to be approach by various strangers at certain functions, and some really lovely ones who sincerely asked, “why are you looking so serious, don’t you ever smile”? This of course instantly; brought a smile upon my face, as I assured them that I did not realize that I was looking so serous, and the conversation flowed because of their kind efforts of breaking that communication barrier, but let me pen down just a few ‘gentle’ points which we all know about regarding that great smile of yours.
a) Smiling makes you more approachable — It opens you up in front of others in a somewhat warm and kind way, allowing communication to be made. If that is indeed what you are looking for.
b) Smiling can make you happier — We do not usually think of smiling when we are sad or unhappy, but rocket science now tells us that by smiling our brain releases endorphin's which lowers stress and improves our mood, which is a good thing. We can actually trick our mind till it becomes a habit.
c) Smiling can make you look ‘more’ attractive — Agreed that you are already attractive and you don’t want to over do it, but smiling brings out a positive energy that people get attracted to. Remember how in the past, you found someones smile attractive. Now that brings a smile to your face.
d) Smiling can increase your productivity and creativity — Smiling can help diminish negative thoughts. It is not only revitalizing but it also increases your productivity. Studies have proved that a few minutes of smiling and laughter motivates people to work harder and can also enhance creativity.
Someone once told me that studies have proved that you can add up to seven more years to your life by smiling often. Who doesn’t want that? Your smile can lighten and positively change the mood of any situation your find yourself in and it has the power to lift the mood of those who see your friendly smiling expression. One can bring more happiness to the world by greeting everyone with a smile.
There are countless amounts of reasons why one should smile more often, I’ve only put down a few, but I hope these reasons are enough to remind us about the power of a smile. The other beautiful thing about a smile is that it is international, and that you can smile in any language, in any country and the smile is totally free. It hopefully brings out the best of us; along with our humanity.
Blessings to you
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