The Magnificent Power of a Smile . . .

I read a verse today that I'd like to share with you. It goes like this:

"It costs nothing, but creates much.

It enriches those who receive without

impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash, and the memory of
it sometimes lasts forever.

None are so rich they can get along without

it, and none are so poor but are richer for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill

in a business, and is the countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged,

sunshine to the sad, and nature's best antidote

for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen,
for it is something that is no earthly good to anyone
until it is given away.

And if in the course of the day some of your friends

should be too tired to give you a smile, why don't
you give them one of yours?

For nobody needs a smile so much as those

you have none left to give!

- Author Unknown

A smile is just a little thing, easy to give ~ why then, do some seem to find it so difficult to accomplish? We all know those who walk around every day with such sober expressions they look as if they've just received terrible news. But if we ask them what's wrong, they look at us quizzically and say "Nothing, everything is fine." And it is. They have no idea that their faces tell a much different story.

Then there are those who can never seem to find anything in life about which to smile. They look at everything from a negative perspective. If you say, "What a beautiful day!", they respond with "Yeah, but it 's gonna rain later." Their grumpy visages are true mirrors of what they feel inside. When I meet someone like this, I challenge myself to get at least one tiny little smile from him. Most of the time I succeed but, every once in awhile, it proves to be an impossible feat. It's those people who need our smiles the most.

Imagine how horrible it would be to go through life feeling there is nothing at all to smile about! Imagine how dark your soul would be. Yet there are those who spend their lives that way. To them, life is something to be gotten through, not enjoyed. They know nothing about the simple joys that can be gained from the sight of a glorious sunset or dew glistening on a soft rose petal. They aren't filled with emotion by the strains of "America the Beautiful" or "Amazing Grace" or any other song that elicits strong feelings in most of us. Theirs is a sunless world pervaded with emptiness and sadness.

Smiling is a wonderful habit to adopt. It makes you look more approachable, friendlier, and as if you find good things in life to acknowledge and celebrate. I read a little saying somewhere that said "Smile ~ it increases your face value." That's certainly true, but the truly amazing thing is the affect it has on others. How do you feel when you meet someone who's face is brightened with a smile? Doesn't it automatically make you feel a little better, a little brighter, too?

We seldom think about the impact something so simple can have. Yet, the power of a smile is awesome. Your smile may give comfort to one who grieves; it may give hope to one who is disillusioned; it may warm someone who has experienced only coldness. Your smile has the power to change another person . . . just for a moment or for a lifetime.

So, don't be stingy with your smiles ~ share them with everyone you meet ~ because you never know what amazing changes they may achieve.