The Universal Language of A Smile
Take a person from one part of the world and drop them on the other side of the planet. In a strange land where you don’t speak the native language, yet to be educated on local cultures and customs there can be a shocking adjustment period.
However, there is a Universal Language we all understand regardless of where on this planet we are from. That Universal Language is the Smile. Yes, this language of the Smile communicates the same message in the United States, Spain, Australia, Africa, India, or any of the other expansive cultures and countries on our planet.
A genuine smile can communicate a message of friendliness, warmth, understanding, and a general sense of good towards others. I am by no means an expert on what creates this connection, however without a doubt something innate in all of us speaks to this primal form of communication.
We can look at babies as an excellent example of the innate understanding of a smile. Before being able to speak a baby expresses themselves through crying and smiling. These languages communicate the same language across the Universe. I’m yet to see a baby crying and screaming out of sheer joy. It would be an interesting scenario to see a baby hungry, tired, and needing to be changed flashing a big smile at their parents. This would never happen.
Why this is the case? Aside from our Creator, nobody really knows. I guess there are some things in life where the rules are meant to be followed and can’t be broken. The good news is that it doesn’t take anything we don’t already have in us to share our genuine smile with the world.
Why is it that we don’t smile more? For every person the reasons may vary. Maybe work has been rough lately with an overbearing boss. Possibly health concerns have come up preoccupying our minds. Financial troubles may be weighing heavy with loans and debt piling up. Once our minds reach a pattern of any type of behavior, the reasons for reinforcing them will be an endless stream if we allow them.
Perspective transforms our reality like a free secret drug, minus any negative side effects. Take a moment to google pictures of people in emerging or developing countries. From Africa, India, other parts of Asia, to South America. You’ll find people with amazing happy smiles where some may barely have the basic necessities of food and water on a daily basis. While it can’t be clearly answered what brings such happiness and joy to these individuals, a good guess is they are grateful to be alive each day.
Perspective transforms our reality like a free secret drug, minus any negative side effects. Take a moment to google pictures of people in emerging or developing countries. From Africa, India, other parts of Asia, to South America. You’ll find people with amazing happy smiles where some may barely have the basic necessities of food and water on a daily basis. While it can’t be clearly answered what brings such happiness and joy to these individuals, a good guess is they are grateful to be alive each day.
With such brave and happy souls on our planet what can we possibly fear? Having the ability and access to read this right now on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone is a blessing in itself. If we really take the time to identify the good we have in our lives the list is much longer than we even realized. Sure, adversity is a part of life none of us are exempt from, but even during the toughest of times we have family and friends to count on for support.
Taking the time to slow down everyday and be thankful for all the good things we have going for us can shift our perspective light years away from a mental focus on what we’re lacking. In turn this shift can plant deeper seeds of good feelings inside us making it easier to share genuine smiles with the world.
When traveling we may carry with us preconceived notions that others in the city or town we are in are known to be unfriendly or unwelcoming to new faces. Often, we carry these beliefs with us unsure as to where they even came from. Some misinformed relative or friend may have shared their hearsay story and we took it into our minds. Shedding and ridding our minds of beliefs that no longer bring positive momentum to our lives can enhance every second we share.
I’ve found an easy way to put myself in an upbeat and positive mood is by thinking about something goofy that only a close friend or relative may be “in on.” This automatically puts a smile on my face, in turn reflecting back from those in my surroundings. Does this mean every person who passes your path will smile back? No, of course not. However, that does not sway you internally as you radiate these good feelings everywhere you go.
I know it sounds goofy but give it a try. Something that is an inside joke between you and a friend or loved one that immediately brings a smile, borderline laughter to your face automatically puts you in a better mood. This reflection hits those around you and shares positivity with strangers. I can’t think of anything more uplifting than to make someone else’s day just a little better, even with something as simple as a smile.
If you haven’t done this before, give it a try. I’m sure you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can change your perspective and bring light to the life of another person. Through those tough times and the good times, I hope you keep smiling.
Until next time. Keep pushing and progressing.
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