Why stop at defining what it means to be happy?
Smiling is a tool that we develop over time that helps us to accept all life experiences, to protect us and to preserve our energy. It may strike you as odd to think of smiling as a skill that we cultivate, but I’ve witnessed many people cure themselves of psychological and physical illness by making intentionally smiling more frequently and feeling the effects from inside out.
When combined with relaxation and expectation, smiling can break down inhibiting energy patterns. The interesting thing is our innate ability to smile frequently as a child diminishes slowly throughout our lives as we endure stress from external situations. We tighten up, smile less and less, and experience limited happiness. You can have hope though, because you can improve your happiness by practicing your smile!
I’ve found a growing body of evidence that our minds rely on what our body is doing to develop emotions. What causes our original happy expressions to fade? The answer is layers of personality and physical tension. I’ve found that it’s easy, natural and appropriate to smile during everything you do. I recommend smiling through tears, and anger to turn negative emotions around. I even have success smiling in my sleep. You should try it-it feels amazing.
I describe smiling’s relationship to happiness as the physical manifestation of joy. Smiling is the action that expresses happiness. Laughing however, is a more emotionally fueled reaction and when engaged in excessively, can deplete your energy. Smiling focuses on the spiritual joy that arises from our essence.
For a person who wants to be more peaceful, happy, healthy and positive, practicing smiling and maintaining your happiness is certainly a habit that should be developed to it’s fullest depth.
Lots more to come on smiling…you know what to do in the meantime.
