SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! SMILE!
I know I said I’d be posting my #MarchPhotoADay pictures weekly this month, but yesterday’s photo had a story behind it that I thought would be fun to share. The challenge for the day was “smile,” and this goofy picture immediately came to mind.
I know…ridiculous. This photo was taken as a joke during a portrait session for my high school photography class. The story is what came after it was created through a multitude of chemicals in a dark room. My best friend at the time (who was also the photographer) gave the picture to Bobby as a joke. We weren’t dating. In fact, we were barely even friends.
I’m not sure what her intentions were other than to make him laugh (at me, obviously – I mean, I look a little maniacal). But imagine my surprise when several years later, I discovered that Bobby has been keeping the photo in his wallet ever since that day.
There are so many reasons for me to smile about that story.
The main reason is this:
We should all smile as much as possible. You never know who might be watching.
I’m not talking just in the romantic sense. I certainly wasn’t looking for a husband at the time this picture was taken. I’m talking about the fact that when we smile, we give off an air of positivity that others are attracted to. No matter how goofy the smile may be, it makes those around us smile, too, and encourages them to engage with us. Nobody wants to approach someone with a scowl on their face.
Perhaps your future best friend decided to say “hi” at that party because you looked nice.
Perhaps your future boss approached you at a networking event because you looked confident.
Perhaps your future husband, wife or significant other asked you out because you looked your most beautiful. All of these scenarios are possible as a result of a single smile.
So even if your world is a little grayer than normal today, try lifting up those corners of your mouth.
Yes, try it now. Even if you will look absolutely crazy in your cubicle or on the subway.
I guarantee you’ll make someone else smile, too.
What makes you smile every day?
Abrazos,
You know what’s funny? If I’m smiling at my desk people always wait for me to send around a funny YouTube video. How’s that for a precedent that I’ve set for myself? 🙂 Smiling FTW!
That’s amazing! Love that precedent. Feel free to send me funny YouTube videos any time. 🙂
That I am alive and healthy! I smile harder when I get a food workout in and ever harder when chocolate is in the cards! 🙂
Good*
I love both of those things! And to be honest, I think a “food workout” sounds pretty awesome, too. 🙂
Agree! Smiling not only just makes you FEEL better, but it makes others happy too! Kaylin, Josh, Frank, friends, other family members, coffee, chips & salsa, exercise- all make me smile!
It truly does! That is such a great list of people/things that make you smile. 🙂
Aaaaawww…love this story – Uncle Bobby is so cute. 🙂 You guys make me and the Bear and Adam smile!
We are always happy when we can do that! 🙂
Being outside definitely makes me smile everyday. Even when there are days like today, where it’s in the 30’s ,the wind is blowing and gusting at over 60mph, I’ve cut my face on a tree, am covered in sand/dirt and bone tired, I still smile and find peace just being out there in the wild.
Btw, Bobby is too cute! Keeping that photo in his wallet! hehe!
Your passion for the outdoors and your job makes me smile every time you talk about it – truly!
awww adorable! love this story – it’s so true!!!!
Thank you, Lindsay! 🙂
So cute!
Something that makes me smile everyday…how Margot wakes me up ever morning by cuddling into my neck. She makes me feel so loved 🙂
That’s adorable! Thank you for sharing that story. 🙂
I love this story.. so sweet. and yes.. I smiled when reading the end of this post… Although I’m required to smile most of the time at work (hello! Front desk reception) there is a true difference between a genuine smile and a put on one… your post made it genuine one for sure!
Aw, that is really great to hear! Interesting that you brought up the difference between genuine and fake smiles – that is such a good point. I read somewhere that people can always tell the difference because of the way our eyes light up with a real smile. 🙂
That’s such a sweet story!! 🙂 You’re right it’s so important to smile!
Thank you, Caroline! Hope you are finding plenty to smile about on this Wednesday!
Haha love the coffee and pic of you! Today I’m smiling because both the girls’ grandmas are watching them and I got out of the house! 🙂
[…] are this week’s #MarchPhotoADay results. I left out the goofy grin from March 5 because I figured you got enough of that one already. The rest of the challenges […]