At 13 years old, I felt ugly. One day, standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I noticed that I looked pretty when I smiled.
So, I set a goal to smile at everyone I cross paths with each day for the next few weeks.
I remember how silly it felt to literally smile at everyone I saw, including strangers. Eventually, it became a fun exercise that turned into a habit.
Looking back at every stage of my life, there have been hundreds of times I've been complimented on my smile, no matter where I was in the world. To this day, I continue my smiling ritual.
One of my favorite outcomes is seeing someone who, at first glance, doesn't look very happy, and then watching them flash a smile right back. I love seeing that transition!
Another favorite is when an uneasy situation occurs involving another person and, instead of getting upset, I smile—and then they smile too (most of the time). Think about when someone accidentally bumps into you or cuts you off while driving. Instead of getting angry or honking your horn, you simply smile.
Of course, there are plenty of times when people don't smile back, and that's OKAY. I don't take it personally.
My challenge to you for the next seven days is simple: show your pearly whites to everyone you see and discover for yourself how much happier it can make you feel—and maybe brighten someone else's day, too.
Smile at Everyone and Help Someone Have a Zenatudinal Day!