I heard a speaker ask what makes you smile. She was talking about ways to fight depression. Suggestions were to look at photos that bring back happy memories. The problem with photos is it sometimes brings tears when you see a face that is no longer here. Nature photos can bring a smile or just a warm feeling along with a feeling of gratitude for the beauty God has created.

When people tell me how beautiful the garden is, I thank them, but I am not the creator. I am just the fortunate gardener who delights in the plants. When my spring flowers sprout, I smile and eagerly begin pulling weeds. I don’t know why the weeds always survive a tough winter, but some plants don’t. At least they give me a reason to work the soil.

I recently read there are nine types of smiles. A few are: the closed lip, genuine smile, smug smile, and twisted smile. I can’t picture the twisted smile, but I can the genuine smile. Since babies can smile as soon as they are born, that has to be a genuine smile. Smiles have been proven to relieve stress, and burn calories. Laughing burns more calories and relieves more stress. I need to find funny things to laugh at!

Smiles also create connections between people. A reassuring smile offers support to struggling traveler or a frustrated parent. It conveys understanding of the situation. That’s a gift.

A song sung by Nat King Cole, Smile, urges one to smile even though your heart is breaking. The lyrics are great. I particularly like, light up your face with gladness. The entire song encourages one to smile through the situation and believe it will improve. Hope and have faith that things will get better. That is a message I know many need to hear and believe. Referencing nature, the sun chases the darkness away when it brings the morning. The gray clouds dissipate when the sun arrives. Believing gives one the ability to smile. Soo Smile!!

Hoping each one of you has a day full of smiles!