‘Smile and the world smiles back with you’; is something we have heard from our childhood. Everyone knows these words, but far fewer understand the essence of this. The fact is the that the smile on a face is the curve that brings a feeling of optimism, leading to positive action. It has its own bearing on the mind and body that brings one to attract all the wonderful gifts of life.
And further more, when one smiles to another, it brings a smile to another’s face. Thus, keeping smiling spread the smile all around. Gift a smile – And this costs nothing at all; and is yet priceless and worthless. It is far more precious than anything else.
One can understand the essence and importance, as well as the benefits of smiling if one observes what happens when smiling. Sit back right now, close the eyes and bring a frown to the face and think of the most worrisome aspect of life. Observe what happens to the body. Be with this feeling for a few minutes. Then slowly bring a smile on the face and observe what happens to the body, the transformation in thoughts and emotions, even though the thought of the problem persists…
The difference is that there is lightness to the body and solutions seem to come through the mind with the smile. It wipes away the worries. There is no stiffness, as against the stiffness brought by the frown and worry lines; the tension.
While this is the benefit of smiling for the self; it has a similar impact on a group of people. One can try this experiment. When in a group of three to four people, and more, ask everyone to talk about something that is worrisome, flowing completely into the topic. Observe what happens. There is heaviness in the room. Everyone is worried. Even the room maybe well lit, it seems dark and gloomy.
Now ask everyone to speak about the same topic with a smile and exchange views. What happens? On observing all participants of the group will have a more positive outlook to the situation. There will be solutions and optimistic thoughts about the problem. The environment seems brighter and there is liveliness in the room.
Thus is the power of smiling. It is what wipes a way the clouds of life and makes room for the sun to shine. It is the stars on a dark night. It is the rainbow of colors that bring health, wealth, happiness, peace of mind, better relationships, etc.