Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. The prompt this week is … Smile.
They say we burn more calories when we smile. Now I am not sure if that is true, but looking at my three granddaughters, I would say – children smile a lot. A quick google search tells me children do, in fact, smile more than adults and about 400 times a day.
Smiling, which we do when we experience happiness or laughter, releases brain chemicals into our system which, in turn, promotes good health. One could say, “Smiling is good for us.”
“A glad heart makes a happy face.” (Proverbs 15:13, NLT)
A smile can convey friendliness, warmth, and an acceptance of others. What we feel affects how we present ourselves and thus, how we will be perceived by those around us.
We’re living in a time when our smiles are being covered up as we go out and about our day. Other than in our homes, masks are required in almost every place we go. Perhaps that is why the clerk’s comment was puzzling. “I can tell you are smiling.” It was then explained, “Your eyes are smiling.”
In these challenging days, when we are stressed by the news and with all the changes, may we keep on smiling. Perhaps the Proverbs 31 woman was onto something:
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.”
(Proverbs 31:25, NASB)
Photo by Jacqueline MunguÃa on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
Yes, facemasks can hide our smiles, so we need to make sure they reach our eyes too!. x
I used the same Proverbs verse. Smiling in the #5 spot today!
I’m smiling for the sunrise,
for the tree, a leafy dancer.
I’m smiling, to my wife’s surprise,
for she knows I smile for cancer.
I’m smiling ’cause I mean it,
I’m smiling for myself,
and smiling ”˜cause I don’t see fit,
leavin’ smiles upon the shelf,
for they’re not something one can hoard
for the better days,
and the poorest can aford
to spend them all in praise,
so to the last I’ll wear this smile
for it means I’m goin’ out in style.
When I read that verse from Proverbs, I always imagine a coy smile creeping up over the woman’s face, as if she’s thinking, “You tried to get me life, but I know I’m about to win.” And maybe that is enough of a reason to smile: Even though life is hard, we know that ultimately we “win” in Christ Jesus.
FMF #16, Amie
I hope smiling helps us lose weight 😉 if I stop smiling I could be in trouble! This verse was on my mother’s day card from my daughter. Thanks for the memory FMF #14
I didn’t realize just how many faces I make until most of my reactions were covered by my mask. What a smile for the clerk to see it anyway!
Yes! Just keep smiling!
One of the things that bothers me most about the masks is that it’s so much harder to see smiles. I love the verse from Proverbs you included – a reminder to continue to smile at the uncertain future because I know my God is still in control!
I’m smiling at FMF #8 this week.