Of all the things a person wears, a smile is the most important. It releases positive energy. It enkindles empathy and finds instant acceptance. A sincere and friendly smile reveals one's inner health and positive mental attitude and gives him a long life.
Smile a facial expression
A smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the mouth muscles to express happiness.
"One deep-fried-Zen adage advises: It takes 13 muscles to smile and 33 to frown. Why overwork?" (Ref: The Washington Post, December 5, 1982)
Quotes on smiling by famous people
In the words of Mother Theresa: "Every time you smile at some one, it is an expression of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing". The gift of a smile transforms the receiver and the giver.
Mahatma Gandhi said that "you are not fully dressed until you wear a smile" and according to George Elliot, "wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles".
"Smiling is infectious; you can catch it like the flue", says an unknown saying. If some one smiles, another one who watches him would smile back and there would be miles and miles of smiles. In the end, a single smile could travel round the earth.
Health benefits of smiling
Some of the health benefits of smiling recounted by Mark Stibich in the February 4, 2010 article "Top 10 Reasons to Smile" are as follows:
- Smiling is a great way to make people stand out while helping their body to function better.
- Smiling changes one's mood: There is a good chance that if a person is feeling down, smiling can help him change his mood.
- Smiling relieves stress: Stress shows up in the face of a person. Smiling helps to prevent one from looking tired, worn down and overwhelmed.
- Smiling boosts the immune system: When a person smiles, his immune function improves, possibly because he is more relaxed.
- Smiling lowers blood pressure: When a person smiles, there is a measurable reduction in his blood pressure.
- Smiling releases endorphins, natural painkillers and serotonin: Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin. Together, these three make a person feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.
A smile is an expression of mutual love
A lover is enthralled by the smile of the beloved and an atmosphere of love and mutual respect prevails in the home when the members of a family do not lose the smile from their lips. Life is like a mirror and one gets what he gives.
Smile for health and happiness
A person who is healthy and happy tends to be lavish in his smiles. An unhappy or discontented person will only invite more unhappiness and discontent into his life, bringing misery to himself and others. If only he changes his attitude and brings a smile back on his lips, he would enjoy better health and happiness. A great reason for the everlasting energy of great people like Mahatma Gandhi or Mother Theresa was the perpetual smile on their faces.
Sources/References:
Quote Garden. "Quotations About Smiles" (accessed August 20, 2010).
Snopes.com. "Happiness in Only Grin Deep" (accessed August 20, 2010).
Stibich, Mark. "Top 10 Reasons to Smile." About.com (accessed August 20, 2010).
Balakrishnan Valanath - Balakrishnan Valanath is an India-based writer from Kerala, the "God's Own Country". After graduating in Economics and Law, he spent many ...
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