2022-19 Turn That Frown Upside-down
The past couple of years, with individuals wearing masks has made it difficult to see everyone’s smiles. With more restrictions disappearing, we can again start to see everyone’s facial expressions. It’s amazing how your nonverbal facial gestures can give off so much communication. One of these key gestures is that of smiling.
A smile can mean multiple things. Happiness, joy, content, and even empathy. Sometimes we have to force a smile as the camera is pointed at us and mom or dad is telling us to say “cheese”. But, most of the time we smile when we are happy. It’s also one of those contagious things we can do. Next time you are in the grocery store, in line for school lunch, or at the bus stop. Make eye contact with someone and give them a smile. Don’t make it weird… but just a simple smile. Chances are that they will smile back. Plus you might have brightened their day with your smile. According to a study at Walden University, we do not learn how to smile. We are actually born knowing how to smile. With the advancement of 3D ultrasound technology, doctors and medical practitioners have been able to identify that developing babies smile in the womb. Once a baby is born, they continue to smile. This is true of all babies regardless of culture and environment, as smiling is a basic and biological uniform human expression.
When I was little, I can remember singing a song in my Sunday School primary class. The lyrics go like this:
If you chance to meet a frown,
Do not let it stay.
Quickly turn it upside down
And smile that frown away.
No one likes a frowning face.
Change it for a smile.
Make the world a better place
By smiling all the while.
Dale Carnegie wrote the following poem about a smile:
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 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 'til it is given away. And if in the hurly-burly bustle of today's business world, some of the people you meet should be too tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours?
For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give..
In the Scout Law we strive to be helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, and cheerful. What better way to start than with showing off your smile to others.