“Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today” by Joan Y. Edwards
My personal mantra is to encourage others on my path in life so they do not give up on themselves. One way to help people look at things differently is to be the reason they smile. I love to be the reason people smile. It makes me smile on the inside. It fills me with joy.
My PaPa Bruffey loved to make people smile. He took pictures of them and sent them prints in the mail with little drawings and words that would make your heart sing. He went to the Miss America contests and took pictures there. One year he was a judge for the Miss North Carolina contest. On a girl’s picture he would put, “So beautiful, she would make a bulldog break his chain.”
My grandmother on my father’s side of the family, Mother Meyer loved to laugh. She was even able to laugh at her own foibles and humanity. That was a wonderful trait. For instance, one time she got a new black coat. It was lovely and warm for winter. She picked up what she thought was a bottle of spray perfume. Instead it was red spray paint!
My Mother made me laugh. I don’t believe that was her intention, but she did it seamlessly. She said wise things that surprised me and therefore brought a smile to my face. One time I asked her, “Mother, do you believe when people die they go to heaven?” Her answer, “Some do and some don’t.”
My Uncle Sam Bruffy, PaPa Bruffey’s brother, made me laugh (notice they are brothers and spelled their last name differently). He could use ventriloquism and throw his voice so it sounded like some dogs were right outside the door. One year he dressed up as the United States Uncle Sam and walked on stilts, probably for a costume party. I was in second grade. I went back to school. I saw a poster of Uncle Sam saying, “I Want You.” I told the children in the class that the man in the poster was my Uncle Sam. The teacher had to settle the heated issue and explain to the children that I actually had an Uncle Sam who dressed up like that but that it wasn’t him in the poster.
Leo Widrich tells us to stand in front of a mirror and smile. He says even a practiced smile can help you feel happy and more relaxed immediately.
Here are ten things that may make someone smile:
- Smile at them. Smiling is contagious, like laughter.
- Give them a real compliment that comes from your heart. Explain how not everyone does what they do.
- Thank them for something they’ve done for you. Simple things like opening a door, carrying a package, giving them your seat.
- Share a humorous experience you’ve had.
- Help them do something they can’t do for themselves.
- Call them on the phone and see how they are doing. Hearing a friendly voice on the phone will brighten their day. You can ask, “Is this a good time to talk?”
- Send them a card or letter through snail mail.
- Pay for their meal.
- Give them a gift.
- Listen to them.
There are many more ways to help people smile. If they don’t smile, it’s okay. Keep smiling anyway. Being kind sends many smiles your way. Sometimes a smile leads to laughter which is totally fun!
Smiles, giggles, and laughter fill your body with feeling good endorphins (healing energy). You and I definitely need more of that today with all the negative things surrounding us!
Quotes with a smile!
- Smile, you’re on Candid Camera.
- When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) – Louis Armstrong
- Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella -Perry Como
Resources
- Christine Schuster. 40 Things That Will Make You Smile (theodysseyonline.com)
- Lori Deschene. 51 Things That Will Make You Smile (tinybuddha.com)
- Leo Widrich. The Science of Smiling & Why It’s So Powerful | Buffer Blog
- Wiki Staff. 6 Ways to Make Someone Smile – wikiHow
Please leave a comment and tell me what makes you smile, fills you with joy, or what you believe might make someone smile!
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2009-2020 Joan Y. Edwards
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