Both ways work for me! I’m always writing about noticing the little pleasures. I notice a thousand little things everyday that make me smile: I notice. I feel happy. I smile. AND, then the act of noticing and acknowledging that small pleasure, with that small (or huge) smile makes me even happier.
Then there’s the other way that this is true: when something is getting you down, try smiling anyway. Walk with a bounce in your step, a sparkle in your eye and a smile on your lips. It’s amazing how much better you can make yourself feel. It may seem like artifice to put on a perky face to fool the public, but I find the person it most profoundly fools is me. I feel happier because I’ve smiled.
Here’s another happy by-product of smiling: people smile back! We are innately wired to want to connect with people in a positive way. It’s virtually impossible not to smile back at someone who smiles at you. I think this is in part why putting on a happy face even if you’re feeling blue works so well. You smile. People smile back. You feel better!
Smile. Be Happy!
Ruth
Self Portrait Smiley – Me in the Mirror
I’m starting with the SMILE in the mirror
I’m asking her to change her ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.
-Michael Jackson