It’s amazing what a smile can do! A smile can change a moody environment into one that is pleasant and friendly. It can deflect an irritable disposition from wrecking havoc in the work spaces. Smiles can positively influence our interaction with one another and optimistically affect our feelings and emotions. This is perhaps one of the reasons that we are generally drawn towards others who display a bright, cheerful smile. We want to be joyful and have a bright outlook. We want the most out of life and enjoy living, so we’re naturally attracted to an upbeat smile that causes us to feel happy.
So what if you don’t feel like smiling? Should you paste a plastic smile on your face and assume that everyone who sees it thinks that you are happy and good to go? No, I’m not suggesting that at all. People generally reflect on their faces what they are feeling on the inside. Yet, feelings, in and of themselves, can be confusing and deceptive. Sometimes we don’t know why we feel the way we do. We may feel down and out and cannot identify why we feel that way. Even when we have every reason to be optimistic, i.e. good health, a great family, and a wonderful job that we sincerely enjoy doing, we can still feel depressed or discouraged.
Psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and chaplains are trained to try and help us understand ‘‘why we feel what we feel” and how to work through those feelings. What I’m suggesting here is that we have more control over our feelings than we give ourselves credit for. There are times when we just need to exert some ‘‘self discipline” over our feelings and determine that we are not going to allow circumstances to keep us from experiencing a good day (smile)!
In the Marine Corps, we are well versed in the concept of ‘‘self discipline.” With self discipline in mind, we take charge of our feelings and do not allow our feelings to take charge of us. Please note that I am not referring to those who have debilitating emotional afflictions that may require professional and⁄or medical attention. I am speaking to those of us who do not suffer from such ailments, but may from time to time need a reminder that we are in charge of our feelings, not the other way around.
Christian Scripture assert that one is ‘‘...transformed by the renewing of one’s mind” (Romans 12:2). If our desire is to be transformed into positive, optimistic people, then we are going to have to carefully consider our way of thinking and focus our attention towards the silver lining in the topsy-turvy clouds of life. When we learn how to take charge of our feelings and our thinking, our smiles will be more readily available and positively influence those around us into having a good day, regardless. So smile a little, the rewards are worth the effort!
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