Smile!

So last Friday I was reminded of something I learned back in High School. It was in a psychology class, and although I'll totally screw up exactly what it was that my teacher said, I think you'll get the picture. We were learning about human emotion and how a smile has the power within your body to release endorphins (happy chemicals), lower blood pressure, and other good stuff. He had us try to smile with just our eyes and feel that even that can make you feel good and change your mood a bit for the better. I thought of this Friday because I just could not stop smiling at work. Even outside there was a cute kid at every corner with a huge beaming smile, which in turn made me smile of course. Today I thought of it again, but for a much different reason. I was leaving Dunkin Donuts and followed behind some guy who I assumed would hold the door as I held two coffees in my hands. After a near face plant into the door I realized I was quite wrong, but surely he would hold the second door after seeming to notice me throwing my foot out to avoid a broken nose with the first. Nope, a second brush with a possible head trauma made me realize that in everyday situations we can react in many different ways. Even on a normal day this run in with a seemingly inconsiderate guy wouldn't necessarily bother me. I don't get frustrated easily, I can even sit in traffic for hours on end and not complain. Today I realized I could do more than that though. My opinion is that there are more things that present themselves in a day that we react to with indifference or frustration (even cynicism) than we do with a smile. What if instead of just going through the day indifferent or frustrated to the world around us we smile instead? So thats what I did. I smiled and laughed a little when the second door almost threatened a concussion (and thought to myself "wow these doors swing back fast!")
When I got to the garage at work I faced a major traffic jam where people just seemed to have forgotten how to drive or something because it was one of the worst I have seen in a while. I watched people in their cars frustrated and decided that instead of just sitting there patiently in addition I would smile while waiting. It was beautiful outside, I had the window down, and a good song was on, so I smiled at the extra couple of minutes I would gain enjoying it from traffic that wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

In these instances I found myself relax a bit. Maybe it was the endorphines. All I know is that it made me feel good inside to smile at the things that could potentially annoy. I remember the teacher also saying that you don't even have to emotionally feel like smiling (or be truly happy) to feel the effects. Right now just smile, for no reason. Feel it? Next time you're annoyed or frustrated try just smiling, even if its the last thing you feel like doing.

And now for what prompted me to write this kinda silly post. I opened my friends blog today to find a very special post that made me smile big. She is so special to me and has a great big place in my heart. She has supported me so much in my preperations for next year and has been a part of every step including my excitement, concerns, joy, questioning, seeking, and finding. Shyla, you make me feel awfully special and you make me smile! love you my sweet friend.

It makes me sad to think that people go through all of the trouble to hide or get rid of wrinkles around their eyes. I hope that people can someday clearly see my smile wrinkles and know that I am filled with something worth smiling for. Inside of me is a peace and happiness that only comes through knowing who created me and who loves me with this crazy, incredible, undeniable, undefinable love.

My God is an awesome God, and I will never cease to smile at that truth.