Have you ever walked down the street or through the supermarket with a million and one things on your mind and you realize you have the ugliest scrunched up scowl on your face? You know the look I am talking about. The kind of look that screams, “Don’t bother me; you may be my next victim!” It happens when you get so caught-up in everything you have going on, the tension mounts until you can feel your shoulders tensed up all the way under your earlobes and you notice the innocent fellow shoppers are afraid to make eye contact with you. Okay, so I am exaggerating just a little here, but you understand what I’m talking about, right? I don’t usually get that bad myself. I could though – I am capable of it. Aren’t we all?

Do you know how to prevent that painful, scary look? Smile. It is that simple. If you make it a point to smile at others, you will instantly feel better. I make it a point to smile when I am running errands. I do not like to run errands. Almost hate it in fact. In order to enjoy it more, I go out of my way to smile at others and even strike up conversations with strangers. It is about the only thing that makes the running around bearable for me. I get through my errands and find out interesting bits of information about others and before I know it, I am done with my errands. Lovely.

As you go about your daily activities, notice what your face is telling the world. Remind yourself to smile and make the best of every moment. This takes self-awareness and requires you to step outside yourself, but the rewards are worth it. You will find you enjoyed your day so much better and you may be preventing wrinkles while you are at it.

Smile!