When you’re smiling.
Smiling! That’s something I love to do. No matter what. Smiling is contagious, and is more powerful than you might even know. Smiles set crooked things straight, for real. For starters, smiling is a sure way to brighten your day… I know you are trying it right now… see, smiling makes you feel instantly good. AND even better, has the ability to strengthen our immune system, regulate blood pressure and releases happy endorphins into our body. (I also think smiley people are a little more attractive and memorable as well).
However, you, yes you, the average adult, only smiles on average about 20 times a day, compared to the little munchkins in our lives that smile almost 400 times a day- obviously because they are all way cuter (and have less worries).
Some days, smiling just comes at ease. You wake up to the sounds of birds chirping, the smell of coffee brewing, sunshine warming your face, ready to take on the day (straight out of a Disney movie); While on others, you open your eyes to chaos and stress… taking a shower feels like an accomplishment. Things fall short, the struggle is beyond real and you find yourself wishing you could hit the pause button for a while.
But back to the SMILE. We know that all days won’t always look bright, but there is always something worth smiling about. There is so much awesome in this world that will make you grin and show those pearly whites, even in the moments when it feels nearly impossible. What makes you smile? What are those simple pieces of awesome that even just thinking about makes you feel good? There is always something to smile about, big or small. The simple life pleasures. These are 20 AWESOME things that make me smile:
- Taking a sauna and jumping in the lake
- Fresh bed sheets
- Boardgames
- A walk in the chilly weather, then coming home to a warm house
- Stars at camp
- Organ music at a hockey game
- Buttery popcorn
- A new book
- The first sip of a drink when you are super thirsty
- A babies laugh
- Sleeping in on a Sunday
- 10 second dance parties
- Brunch with good friends (and mimosas)
- Finding change that you never knew you had
- Catching someone singing in their car
- Waking up to sunshine
- Getting flowers or watching someone get flowers
- Listening to kids conversations
- The snooze button
- Seeing someone else smiling and knowing you helped put it there
This March, I am participating in the Styles and Smiles Event in support of Canadian Mental Health Association Thunder Bay and Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. As a member of the Excellent Society, I have a goal to raise $500 to support these two integral organizations in our community that help brighten lives and smiles daily. I am looking for 25 friends to BAY AWESOME by donating $20 to help me help others smile. You can do so here. Remember, smiling is contagious.
Now go, Bay Awesome. xo
Amanda
(Thanks to Craig Baier from Studio 1 Photography for helping me with the photo.)
