Show us some teeth!

Honestly-- which individual looks more approachable? Who makes you feel a little happier on the inside? Which woman would you like to sit and chat with over a nice latte? Who are you most likely to remember at the end of the day? 

Today I want to talk about the ever so simple, Smile. It is more meaningful and worthwhile than you may realize. Yet it is often taken for granted. Poor smile competes all the time with that dreadful frown! Which side are you on here?

Okay, I must confess.  I was pretty much trained from the time I was 17 that a smile was "part of my uniform". I was employed at In-n-Out burger for five years.... man, not only did I learn to cook up some of the best burgers in the state, but I was taught a life lesson that was even better than that. I was trained to smile at every single customer I saw that day... and believe me, some people didn't deserve a smile. But then again, maybe that's all they needed-- even more than that juicy burger in their hand. Smiling was one of those things... I never realized how much I enjoyed doing it until I practiced it day after day. 

I know what some of you may be thinking, we're not always happy.... and sometimes we just don't feel like smiling! And those people who smile non-stop just get on our nerves! But do they really get on our nerves? Or do we wonder why they smile so much-- and wish that we could do the same? I know that's the way I used to think.

In-n-out Burger was not the only reason why I began to smile... but it certainly did help. After smiling so often, I realized how good it could make someone's day. Smiling usually makes other people smile, which should be enough reason in itself to keep doing it.  One secret I learned to keeping the smile is to have a grateful heart. If I learn to be thankful for every single person, thing, circumstance in my life... I will have no problem smiling daily. And guess what? There has never, ever been a smile I have regretted or wished I could take back. 

So try it .... put on a smile today. Regardless of the circumstance, or of the person who has made you unhappy.... keep smiling. See how differently people react to you, and how much better you feel at the end of the day. If your day sucks already... I bet you have the ability to make it better- it's your choice. 

No one has the power to take away my smile but me. No, I don't smile 24-7...  but a happy life doesn't always just happen-- sometimes it just takes a little effort. But how hard is it to smile? I bet we put a lot of effort into a lot of other things that don't even come close... Think of what a wonderful life we will have lived if we smiled and thanked God for something small everyday. That's a life worth living. Now show us some teeth! =)