deeplikeariver at Fri, Jun 27 05:35 AM:

I love this topic.

Smiling is so important not only does it feel good it is a healing process.  I believe that smiling takes a lot less effort than frowning. A motionless  unfriendly way of life is  a unhealthy way as well.

I have alway heard that when you smile the whole world smiles with you.  And after 56 years here.  I know it to be true.  So put on a smile and watch the wonderful things in life get better.  And while your smiling see the difference in the way you feel and how other sreact to your presents.

If you have trouble smiling get in front of the mirror and see how good it feels. Then when you see how a smile can change the way you appear to yourself and others, all for the better.

A healthy smile is an age reducer. And a door to better places will open for you. It has for me. Try it what do you have to loose.

Have a cheerful day in stead of a hard depressed one.

Deeplikeariver 

manu at Fri, Jun 27 07:54 AM:

I love this smile-businness!!!

it's really great.

I have a little trick that I use when I feel down...I close my eyes and I start thinking about my friends, my family, my "favourite people"...one after the other, I focus on their face and then...I think of them smiling.

One smile after the other, one smiling face after the other...I open my eyes and I KNOW I am smiling!

it's a sure cure for bad moods!!

autumn mist at Mon, Jun 30 02:37 AM:

So cool, so smooth, so soothing:   I see myself smiling ... now I'm smiling ... and that feels gooooooood!  You know the feeling when we were kids and given a delicious ice-cream on a cone?  That's the feeling .... DELISH!

In agreement with Manu.  When I'm by myself, I do close my eyes, too - recalling the great good moments I've shared with family, relatives, friends and loved ones.  And it does paint a hearty smile on my face.  Also, what I normally do is scan on previous letters/mails (years old!) or old and new photographs (especially of the good precious friends - whilst doing those unorthodox escapades).  They do make me smile a lot.  Reviewing jokes (I've got a book!) - cracking or listening to some.  I practice it as much whilst walking with my dog either in the neighborhood or at the beach.  I make sure I give as much smile (complemented with a high-pitched "hello") to strangers I come across with.  Oh... they do enjoy it!

Smile begets smile.  True.  The other party feels good, we feel much better.

I also have to agree.  It cures crankiness.  This applies to everyone - young or old (classic example are the kids).  Oh, I also smile (whilst talking) to the greens and blooms in my garden.  I'm not kidding.  Trouble is, I may be doing it more to one and less to the other (that could be the reason why some of them look wilted while few are pompously standing out).  Hmmm, I've got to fix that!.  Leaving you all with a big SMILE!