Some days people can look pretty serious.
Everyone is rushing around, kids are trying to get to class, adults are thinking about jobs, traffic, emails and what is for dinner.
Then someone gives you a big, friendly smile and suddenly, the day feels a whole lot lighter.
That is the cool thing about smiles – they are small, but they can be powerful.
A smile can say, “you are welcome here.”
It can say, “I see you.”
It can say, “your day just might get better from here.”
And guess what? Smiles are contagious.
Wait, what… contagious?
Absolutely!
When someone smiles at you, you often want to smile back, then that smile might make you feel a bit happier, and so you might smile at someone else.
Before you know it, one smile has travelled further than you expected.
It is a bit like dropping a pebble into a pond – the pebble is tiny, but the ripples spread out wide.
That is a pretty easy way to make the world a better place.
So why do smiles matter?
Because everyone has tricky days.
Someone in your class might be feeling nervous. Someone on your sports team might be having a rough morning. Someone at home might be tired or stressed.
You might not know what is going on for them.
But your smile could help.
It does not have to be a huge movie-star grin, it can just be a small, kind smile that says, “I am glad you are here.” That can mean a lot.
Smiling can help you too.
When you smile, even for a moment, it can help your body feel more relaxed. It can help your mood lift and it can remind your brain to look for something good.
Basically, a smile is a Happy Tool you can carry around with you all day.
No batteries needed. No charger required.
And it fits perfectly on your face, how good is that!
So why not give it a go today.
Smile at your teacher when you walk into class. Smile at a friend who looks a bit quiet. Smile at the bus driver when you get on the bus. Smile at someone in your whānau when you get home.
You could even smile at yourself in the mirror 😊
That might feel a bit strange at first – but do it anyway!
Smiles are simple, but simple things can make a big difference when we use them often.
The amazing thing is you may never know how much your smile helped someone.
It might be the thing that makes them feel included, or maybe it helps them to feel brave. It might remind them that there are kind people around, like you.
The main thing to remember is that smiles can spread happiness.
So next time your day feels a bit grey, try sharing one.
You never know where it might go next.
www.positivemindsetchallenge.nz
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