Tag Archive for: smile

Smile

I am not too certain what it is about missionaries, but they are always smiling!
Being with them yesterday, reminded me of an experiment I conducted some years ago.
It was to ๐’”๐’Ž๐’Š๐’๐’† ๐’‚๐’• ๐’†๐’—๐’†๐’“๐’š๐’๐’๐’†!
When at home back then, I walked our dog (Fawn) early one afternoon in the “Glen” in Dunfermline.
A perfect time to experiment!
Setting off, school kids were at lunch – they gave me some unusual looks in response.
I bumped into an old friend I hadn’t seen in over 30 years. We talked, laughed and shared many memories.
Next, I met a young family feeding the squirrels, we smiled and they commented about the beauty of the Glen and we struck up a lovely conversation.

Ball throwing time.

Fawn was delighted!
Other dog owners joined in.
Further conversation ensued!
Next – tourists from Gent, Belgium. I practised my Dutch – it was great! We talked and smiled at our language skills.
Finally, nearing home again as I smiled, I received a smile or a cheerful comment in return.
In fact, with the exception of the school kids, everyone I made eye contact with, when I smiled at them, they smiled back or shared a positive greeting.
The results were astonishing!
I was happier, more relaxed, more positive and somehow more approachable.
I loved the walk.
I realised the great power of a smile.
Wearing a SMILE everyday brightens someone’s day.
โ€œGo forward in life with a smile on your face, a sparkle in your eyes, and with great and strong purpose in your heart. The best things in life are the people in your life, the moments we live, and memories we made along the way.โ€ Gordon B. Hinckley
As a child growing up in church, I learned this little song:
โ€œIf 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.โ€
Why not conduct your own experiment today and pass on your smile!

A little wink

Do they smile back at you?
Last weekend, Monic and I were visiting Brussels.
We had the opportunity to speak in church services on Sunday.
Whilst Monic was speaking, I noticed a little boy, around 6 years old, looking directly at me.
In that split second, I made eye contact with him, tilted my head slightly to one side, smiled, and gave him a friendly little wink.
He smiled back and tried a little wink too.
For a brief moment in time โ€“ we enjoyed our little connection and smiled together.
It was an innocent thing.
In that instant, a thought entered my mind when I was his age.
Immediately, in my thoughts, I dismissed my well-rehearsed, prepared talk, already provided to the translators in advance and shortly thereafter apologised to them.
As I stood up, I shared the impressions of my heart and mind.
Slowly, I told my simple story.
Look out for little impressions and ideas, if you are listening, they always come.
The power of a little wink.
Be careful how you use it though, you just never know who may smile back at you!

Rule #6

How is your week going?
A little challenging perhaps?
Some problems to attend to?

Have you considered Rule Number 6?

The following story is from Benjamin and Rosamund Zanderโ€™s book “The Art of Possibility”

“Two prime ministers are sitting in a room, discussing affairs of state.

Suddenly a man bursts in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and stamping and banging his fist on the desk. The resident prime minister admonishes him: โ€œPeter,โ€ he says, โ€œkindly remember Rule Number 6,โ€ whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologizes, and withdraws.

The politicians return to their conversation, only to be interrupted yet again twenty minutes later by an hysterical woman gesticulating wildly, her hair flying. Again the intruder is greeted with the words: โ€œMarie, please remember Rule Number 6.โ€ Complete calm descends once more, and she too withdraws with a bow and an apology.

When the scene is repeated for a third time, the visiting prime minister addresses his colleague: โ€œMy dear friend, Iโ€™ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Would you be willing to share with me the secret of Rule Number 6?โ€ โ€œVery simple,โ€ replies the resident prime minister.

โ€œRule Number 6 is โ€™Donโ€™t take yourself so @%$~* seriously.โ€™โ€

โ€œAh, says his visitor, โ€œthat is a fine rule.โ€ After a moment of pondering, he inquires, โ€œAnd what, may I ask, are the other rules?โ€

“๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป’๐˜ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜†.””

How can you use Rule Number 6?

Perhaps it is time that we all shift the way we think and lighten up a little – start today – smile a little more along the way!

When times get tough – try using Rule Number 6!