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Healing Power of a Smile

When we speak of feeling low we tend to describe sadness, loneliness, fear, anger, or confusion. Rarely do we use the word “comfort,” and yet comfort is precisely what makes misery difficult to release. Although we do not like the situation we are in, letting misery control our lives is simply easier than facing the challenge of rising against it. And so we find ourselves longing to curl up in bed or brood over our problems for hours on end. Yet with a simple smile you can break the comfort and take a major step towards healing.

Form your smile first with your mouth, then allow your face to soften, your temples to relax, and your eyes to participate. Hold your smile for a few minutes. If it starts to fade, reform and keep holding. As you hold, examine first how your body reacts. The muscles begin to relax, the heart rate slows down, and the breath lengthens. Notice the change in your thoughts. Are they more positive? Hopeful? Objective?

Smiling when you are upset is about the last thing you will feel like doing. It will feel unnatural and awkward. Yet you do not need to come up with a reason to smile. Try it when you are alone and give yourself as much time as you need to begin and end the process. The more you apply this strategy the easier it becomes to boost your spirits effortlessly and painlessly in the future.

Not only does a smile encourage ourselves to release negativity, but has a positive influence on those around us as well. Smiling is infectious and elicits positive remarks and reactions from our peers.

Forming a smile creates a spark of light that warms the heart and soothes the body, mind, and soul. This light guides us as well; it shows us that the path towards positive healing is paved with strength, hope, and humility. Smiling demonstrates that not only do you want to heal, but that you can!

So the next time you find yourself frowning, look at your image in the mirror and smile. Look at the positive effect it has on your thoughts and on your mood. Within minutes you will realize the abundance that lies in front of you and will start to embrace life. You will be thankful for everything that is out there.

And as the saying goes, a smile is addictive. Your smile will bring smiles to others around you. This leads to a chain reaction and the every heart is filled with positive energy. And we all know that positive energy heals.

As you keep practicing this technique, you will soon start to learn how to look at the positive side of things instead of the negative side. So while you are reading this article, bring a smile on your face. Feels great doesn’t it?

Story Submitted by Stephanie Adams. Stephanie can be reached at stephanie_l_adams@yahoo.com