Sep 16, 2013

Smile - It changes the game

Coming to work everyday and seeing grumpy people, moaning people, annoyed people is such a let down. I wish people could smile more. 

Smile, no matter what is happening around you. Smile when you pass or greet a colleague, smile when you meet a vendor. Smile when you meet the boss and smile when you cross the pantry boy or janitor. They have done nothing to deserve your grumpiness. 

There are many uses of the smile. It conveys the warmth you have for that person, and a genuine friendly smile lightens up the day for someone. Be genuine as many times as possible. However, you can also smile to mask your fears and feelings that are deep inside in case you don't like the person or the situation is getting you down and you are not being able to smile. You are not predictable to the opposition in the room. 

Physiologically it has been proven that smiling and acting laughing releases hormones that are beneficial for our overall well-being. Robert Zajonc is just one of many psychologists whose scientific research explains the fact that smiling and putting on a happy face (even a fake happy face) leads to physiological changes in the brain which causes the release of hormones and neurotransmitters. 

Life is too short so spread your warmth and enjoy the journey. You cannot change the past, you cannot predict the future. Be in the present and in that moment, you have an option - to be happy and spread happiness or just miss the great moment to have an impact. I hope you choose the former, every moment of your life.

Image: Courtesy Akshay Kumar's BBM profile picture from yesterday while I was writing this article. Great timing.