Please sing along:

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though it’s breaking

When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You’ll see the sun come shining through for you

That’s the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what’s the use of crying?

You’ll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile.

(Nat King Cole accompanied by Nelson Riddle)

The theme of today’s post sung by my mother’s favourite male singer, way back in 1954.

It would not top the pop charts today but the theme is still relevant.

Is it good to smile?

Is it good to receive a smile?

How does it feel to smile?

What makes us smile?

Four smiley questions; let’s see if we can find some smiley answers.

I think my recent social experience might help.

For several years my wife and I served on the committee of our village social club. Because of my mental health we resigned our positions and due also to Covid did not attend any meetings for nearly 2 years.

When we attended a general meeting a few weeks ago I felt quite emotional entering the meeting hall. There were around 60 people present most of whom I recognised and some I knew quite well. I started to circulate a little and each person I spoke to gave me a gift. That gift was their smile. I felt a warm feeling inside, it made my day! It was like walking round a large room and switching on electric lights one by one.

I hope they enjoyed my smile I gave in return.

Making a good connection with someone is not the only time we smile. We can look at an inanimate object and smile if we feel pleasure. We can feel satisfaction from a job well done and smile at completion. We can smile in amusement.

I was interested to find that smiling muscles connect directly with the nervous system and the brain. So smiling can definitely improve your mood.

The saying goes “Smile and the whole world smiles with you”. Smiling is certainly contagious. If someone smiles at you there is a good chance you will smile back at them.

As well as being good for our health, smiling makes us look more attractive. Just look in the mirror!

The American physician and philosopher Debasish Mridha said “ The most beautiful make up is the reflection of kindness from a smiling face”.

What makes you smile?

Teg

A Moodscope member.