Written by Arlene Pellicane
A few years ago, I was in an elevator at a department store with my two young children. A young twenty-something male employee stood sullenly inside the elevator. With a big smile on my face, I prompted my oldest to ask him how his day was going. Without looking up, the employee mumbled, “This is my second job today.” I empathized then said brightly, “At least you have work.” The elevator doors opened and he shuffled out lazily, never making eye contact or smiling to us once.
The encounter actually made me giggle as I whispered to my son, “Boy, he was very grumpy!” I wanted to take advantage of that teachable moment because I don’t want my children to grow up to be sulky twenty-year-old employees. The most important thing my kids can wear isn’t bought with money – it’s a smile.
Most likely you’ve seen a well dressed, stylish, fit older woman wearing a very sour expression. Young and vibrant aren’t words you connect with her. A smile makes all the difference in the world doesn’t it? It’s the cheapest and easiest way to improve your looks instantly. A smile is contagious, crossing all races and languages. It has the power to transform the plainest woman into a noticeable beauty.
Mother Teresa said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” An unknown author said, “A smile confuses an approaching frown.”
Smiling is your most power weapon in your anti-aging arsenal. You can be thin and grumpy and you’ll still look old. But a genuine smile covers a multitude of flaws and makes you look young! Plus smiling is a great way to keep wrinkles away.
The next time you go to the bathroom, try this experiment in front of a mirror. Frown and notice what it does to your face. See the wrinkles on your forehead, under your eyes, and around your mouth. Then smile and feel how your face instantly relaxes and un-wrinkles itself. It takes your muscles more work to frown than to smile, so take the easy road and smile!
The most attractive thing you can wear this Christmas season is a smile. The good news is you don’t have to wait in a long line at a shopping department or order one online. You’ve already got a smile, so go ahead and use it often today!
If you enjoyed this article, check out my Heartline Podcast featuring Arlene.
Also, checkout Arlene's website at www.arlenepellicane.com