Smile: It’s Good for the Heart
72A Smile Can Melt Your Heart
Disneyland Hong Kong was filled with hundreds of people as many came to celebrate the New Year (2009) in a place where you can let your hair down and allow the child in you to shine. As we rode the bus from the hotel to Disney, I was quietly gazing at my surroundings grateful to have the chance to be with my family and relatives.
As we disembarked from the bus, a few seats away from me, I came face to face with a little girl with short brown hair. I smiled at her.
And the memory of what happened next made me smile even unto this day.
She smiled back. And oh my, it was such a beautiful smile! I know kids usually have beautiful smiles and yet somehow this one was different. When her lips curved up, it lit up her face as her eyes grew wide and twinkled with delight. It spoke of joy and love and her energy just seemed to connect with mine. I could visualize sunshine, green meadows and flowers all in the span of a few seconds. I wish I could have captured that smile in my camera.
And then the words burst forth from her lips as she turned to look at her mother, “Mommy! She smiled at me! She smiled at me Mommy!”
A Smile Heals!
Her words gripped my heart and I was overjoyed. It was amazing. My smile mattered to a little angel. And I in turn was so blessed to have received hers. And I was right. We connected just like that. Her mother was busy trying to help her out of her seat and didn’t seem to hear her words. They went down the bus, her little steps matching the long strides of her Mommy. I watched them go and watched the sun shine upon her head.
So if you would ask me, how was your trip to Disneyland Hong Kong? I could tell you this honestly. It was splendid because I shared one of the most beautiful smiles with a little girl. A smile that crossed boundaries, race and culture and spoke of the connectedness we have with each other.
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Youtube Smiles..show your smile too!
Smile Quotes
"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." --Mother Teresa
"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight." -- Phyllis Diller
"Keep smiling - it makes people wonder what you've been up to." -- Author Unknown
"I am persuaded that every time a man smiles - but much more so when he laughs - it adds something to this fragment of life." -- Laurence Sterne
"One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul."-- Therese of Lisieux
Allow Yourself to be Happy..Smile!
How Do You Put a Smile On Your Face?
1. Relish in the Ordinary Things
What is your heart’s treasure? I am sure these are the things that will make you smile. I have always found joy in connecting with people and so, a smile shared already makes me happy. And so whether it may be gardening, talking with friends, hubbing, facebooking, sharing a cup of coffee, watching the sunrise, or walking along the beach, petting a dog or a cat, notice how these things make you smile. Relish in it. Appreciate it. Be grateful for it. And smile. Be aware of these things and do them more often.
2. View your Troubles Differently
Problems and challenges are there in our lives whether we like it or not. We have to deal with recession, swine flu, storms, earthquakes, burnt food, nosy neighbors, betrayals, cancer, death, money problems and on and on and on. But here is the good news. Do you know that ultimately our perception of these challenges is the one thing that will turn the “bad” into “good?” And seeing the good in things will make us respond in a better way? And thus, more good things will come out of it.
3. Smile and the World Smiles with You
You can choose to believe that the world is full of ugly people and monsters ready to pounce and take advantage of you. Or you can choose to believe that the world is full of wonderful people who are learning and growing and trying their best to become the best persons they can be. And that it is our essence, our being…we are naturally kind, compassionate and loving.
Smile because all is well.
Smile, it's Good for Your Heart!
When you smile, it is an indication that you feel good. And feeling good definitely improves your mood making you feel attractive and young. An improved mood lowers your blood pressure which is very good for your heart. And since you are in a relaxed state, your body’s immune system is at its peak. Endorphins or feel good hormones are released in your body improving your emotional well being while serotonin are also unleashed to help you sleep better. So stretch those muscles today, allow yourself to relax, smile and enjoy life!
By: Michelle Simtoco
The Smile Poll
Do You Love to Smile?
See results without votingInspirational Articles to Make You Smile
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Hi VioletSun, it is sooo good to see you here! :-) Yes, you are the first... LOL I am smiling back at you! Oh you should have seen her VioletSun, she truly made my day. Thanks for the thumbs up! Hugs... :-)
Smile little precious one. What you term as a simple hub most often than not always turn out to be profound. Hugs:)
Thanks I will smile today Thanks again
I think sniling should be a condition of life, smile on the hour every hour....OK...go on do it..I said SMILE
A smile certainly makes life better...that, and some chocolate! :)
:)
:)
Hi dayzeebee, hmmm the mystery of life huh? The simple found in the profound. The huge effect of such a simpe act like a smile. Thanks! You always make me feel good! :-)
Williamjordan, if this hub made you want to smile, then it is worth all the time and effort I placed into this hub. Thank you very much! :-)
Hawkesdream, that is a wonderful challenge and will do this with you..smile as often as I can as you will too. Deal? LOL Glad to see you here. Love and light and smiles. Yes, yes, I am smiling!
Feline prophet, smiles and chocolates..yummy. I just ate a smalll bar of Hershey Chocolates,want some? ANd here is a sweet smile to go with it too.. Thanks!
Big Brother BDazzler, the cat has got your tongue but definitely left the smile for me to appreciate. Two smiles for me. Yippeee! And to many more.
Your writing is sweet; you have important things to say; you get right to the heart of the matter; and I enjoy you.
Hi James, your sweet words is music to my soul. Thank you for the uplifting and encouraging words. A perfect example of how you can make a person smile. :-)
Good Stuff! Let the child inside out. Our smiles are all unique and beautiful at any age. A smile leads to happiness and happiness is contagious. Thank you for sharing your optimism!
"you can choose to believe that the world is full of wonderful people who are learning and growing and trying their best to become the best persons they can be."
I choose this! :D
Hi OptimistsOnly, yes there were many moments when a smile brought so much joy. This one just stood out to me because it happened so recently and I was particularly feeling quiet and at odds that moment. Her smile somehow jumped out from nowhere and made me feel really good inside. I love your nickname...it's nice being visited by an optimist like you! :-)
Hi K@ri! You are a wise person! LOL and I am grateful for you! Keep on learning and growing my dear friend... lots of love and light to you!
And here is K@ri's hub "Little Things that Make You Smile" http://hubpages.com/hub/Little-things-that-make-yo
This is a great hub:) I love to smile and "pay it forward".
Hi MissJamie, nice to have you visit me at this time of the night. Yes it is almost midnight and I should be sleeping in awhile. Thanks for smiling and paying it forward. That should create lots of lovely ripples! :-)
I´m and I always have been a smiling person :)
And it´s true that sharing a big smile it´s all it takes to get another one from the person you smiled to. I bet that girl will never forget your smile Michelle, you made her day too ;)
It´s nice to be able to read another great hub from you. Keep them coming ;)
Smiles! and a hug, too, just for good measure.
Awww, that's cute Michelle about how happy your smile made the little girl and how the little girls words gripped your heart. Smiles and nice words are powerful and can make a significant difference in a child's life and in an adult's too! :) :) :) :) :) :)
Hi funride, it's been quite awhile since I wrote a hub. And you being here means a lot to me. I can easily imagine you being a smiling person. I bet many girls are falling on their feet when you smile at them Gotcha! Hahaha And your little princess smile definitely melts your heart :-) Take care always...
Hi Teresa, a smile and a hug everyday keeps the doctor away! Feeling loved is the best feeling after all. Wishing you a day full of smiles and hugs esp. just for you. :-)
The last two days have been very stressful for me. Wednesday night our washer overflowed and exploded again, leaving the carpet all wet. I am very stressed out about this, but I am trying to remember to smile. Smiling is the only thing I really can do I suppose.
Hi Dottie, I really marvel at how magical moments just occur right smack in the middle of everywhere and nowhere. LOL I knew this story you could relate well. And sis? You make me smile whenever you grace my hub or drop me a comment or two in my facebook account or email me when you have the time. Those things make me smile. Thanks Angel Dottie! Hope your anniversary celebration made you smile! :-)
Yes! I am such a fan of the smile. And the laugh. What a super wonderful hub ripplemaker. I think you've just made some major ripples yet again. Thanks!
Hi SweetiePie, that is an awful mess and indeed a very stressing situation. I congratulate you for trying to smile amidst all the chaos. Thanks for sharing that one. I suppose it's easy to smile when everything is well and then the challenge of still being able to smile comes when everything is going wrong. Now you've inspired me to write something about this. Thank you SweetiePie! You continue to be my angel. Hahaha Hope you find a solution for the washer and wet carpet. Hugs, hugs, hugs...
Hi SoulaBee, it is a pleasure to meet a fan of the smile and the laugh! Goes to show what a beautiful heart you have. Let's keep on making ripples with the smile. Thanks too for dropping by and leaving a comment. :-) Have a great weekend ahead of you.
What a perfect hub! I love the story of the little girl and her smile!
This smile topic has become quite popular here on HP?
Yeah, who can forget seeing the little ones smile. When there's a child sitting outside the bench staring through the glass at us, I would smile and wave back. They normally, get all blushed, waves back, smile, and hide by their parents side. Now I did have some kids, smear their faces on the glass and oh my, it was quite a kodak moment!
Hi Laughing Mom, it reminded me of your daughter :-) And perhaps the little girl in us.
Hi Mayhmong, it is this little things that brighten my day... smiles and laughter and kodak moments! :-) May you have many more of those!
Hey Michelle
You really have the gift to make people smile. I am smiling now despite my previous "dark" hubs! LOL Children really do and say things that make us forget our grownup worries. Thanks for sharing! :D :D ;D :D :D :D :D :D - now those are Kodak momentS!
When you need a smile come visit ripplemaker. She always has a smile and a hug waiting. :)
Hi Cris, I love sitting here and sharing many smiles with you! I guess children are very spontaneous and when they say things there are no pretensions and they are very real. So it is very heartwarming. How come I miss this little girl all of a sudden? LOL Thanks Cris for dropping by. :-)
Hey my sis dottie is visiting me again...here's a sweet smile for you and a hug as promised! LOL My door is always open for you angel dottie! Hugs...
And now...maybe we can sit down and eat something...I'm hungry...anybody else want to join us? This should be fun and we will be smiling that's for sure! :-)
Knock Knock, what's for dinner? :)
Dinner's ready! Tacos, pesto pasta and brocolli soup with cheese :-) Is that tasty enough for you Dottie? :-)
GREAT hub! Loved how you started in with a story...
Kid's are so great aren't they?! :)
What a heart felt hub!! I can say I would be honored to have had an experience like that! A connection of that magnitude had to of been the work of God and his angels! This hub was heart felt and breath taking!!! This hub made me go and tuck both of my girls in one more time(even though they were already a sleep)!
mdawson17
Smiles are good for the soul. It brightens life, helps lift moods, kicks the endorphins into gear and does the same for the person smiling and the recipient of the smile. Here is to more smiles in the world starting right now. Great simple and power packed idea of a hub. Thumbs up to the starter of many good ripples!
Yes, yes, yes;Tacos, pesto pasta, and brocolli soup with cheese is definitely taste worthy for me!
What are we waiting for let's dig in!
I brought the dessert; hope you will like my lemonade pie!
Thanks Sis, hmmmmm, tastttty!
This is a beautiful hub RM. It is so true how amazing a smile can be.It is free, isn't hard to do and what a lift it can bring someone who is feeling down.xoxo
Yep, I agree BP, a smile costs nothing and means so much. When I arrive back in China I am immediately hit by the poker faces and lack of smiles, and can feel waves of sadness hitting me that I'm back here and away from a place where people smile.
Hi Ripplemaker ! I like to smile too , but lately I have had to go to the dentist alot and I have a root canal this Thursday , so It hurts to smile right now . But I will get back to you with one later . Oh and when kids smile It warms me up too . I am gettin softer as I get older ! Thank you for the nice hub .
Hi lifebydesign, yes kids are the greatest! :-) But then so are the adults too. Like you! :-) Thanks for dropping by and reading my stories. Keep smiling...
Beautiful hub!Reminded me of days gone by ,when everyone had a smile for everyone!Now wherever you go ,you see people totally engrossed talking over the cell phones..oblivious of the surroundings!
Hi mdawson, aaawww you and I are alike. I like that vision of you going to your girls room to tuck them in...you must love them so. Thanks for making me smile. :-)
Hi PeggyW, I see your endorphins are alive and kicking...yeah! I love your passion as I can easily imagine you smiling and reaching out to others. And that my dear friend does make a difference. A smile can heal...it can even save a life! :-) I smile at you for being you!
Dottie, lemonade pie! I've never eaten lemonade pie and is quite excited to taste it. Since you are recommending it, I know it is delicious that is for sure. A good meal and fantastic dessert eaten with a special person, now who wouldn't smile at that? LOL
Hi Blondepoet, it is free and all it takes is for us to share it and receive as well. :-) Free smiles anyone and everyone! No one gets left behind... everybody is sent a smile today. Yay! :-) Thanks for being here Deb!
Ooooh Cindyvine, I pray that some little child will come up to you and give you the sweetest smile that will take the sadness away. Hugs to you and may you find joy amidst the poker faces and all. Just had a thought: will tickling you make you smile? Tickle...tickle..tickle....
Hi tony, ouch...root canal..reminded me of my days when I needed to do that on our patients. I hated inflicting pain and went from being a dentist and ended up in a school setting. Yes, kids are blessings and I have been blessed with them in my life. :-) I will wait for you to come back and share me your smile with your newly root canaled teeth. hahahah
Hi Laila, you are so right. Actually, there were many people there in Disneyland and everyone was busy. And in the bus, when I sat down with a person, they really avoided your eyes. So you can see why that girl made such an impact on me. LOL May we learn to connect and smile and lift each other up by sharing a simple thing such as a smile. Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts.
A smile is the sunlight shining in your soul
I like that! Sunlight shining and sunbeams dancing in one's heart! :-) Truly it brightens the soul. Thanks Blondepoet!
Nice topic Ate. You made me smile already :) I know one of the amazing facts about Filipinos is that their figure or body structure don't reflect their real age which is amazing! I was baffled with this until I got friends from there. I found out later that they don't age because they always like to smile no matter what! They don't grieve and think about trivial matters. They just look for any reason to laugh. :) Have a lovely day.
Hi shamelabboush! I was wondering why you called me ate... LOL so you have Filipino friends. That is a nice comment you made about us. Sssh I will tell you a secret...(whispers) I'm going to be 38 this May 5 and I don't look my age..people have said so many times! I will proudly declare that. The secret? Keep smiling. LOL Thanks for wishing me a lovely day.. you too kuya! :-)
OH MY GOD!!! 38??? But you look 18! I think you hear that exclamation a lot. See my point now? I rest my case :)
You just made me laugh out loud!!!!! ROFL Why thank you for the compliment! :-)
Smile Michelle.... I'm taking your picture! Happy Birthday. Have a beautiful smiley day today. {Birthday Hug}
I love to smile! Even at total strangers. A smile from someone has the power to change my mood, especially a smile from a child. Loved the quotes, I'll have to remember them.
Oh, it's your Birthday? Well, then, Hope you have a very blessed Birthday and all of your Birthday Wishes come true! :-)
Hi Sis Dottie, I'm smiling! Show me the photograph! LOL I woke up at 5:30 am to do my gratitude prayer as the sun rose above the sky. I thank you for my first ever birthday virtual hug of the day! Hahaha Love you sis. And always for making my heart smile! :-) (Thank you hug!)
Hi mamacoots, it would be great then to meet you on the road. We are the same! I love smiling even at strangers too. And what you wrote is so true..a smile can change one moods so easily, one wonders why we don't do it all the time! Thanks for the birthday wishes! Have a blessed day! :-)
Ripplemaker - when us older gals smile, people don't notice the HowdyDoody lines so much!
Hello Ripplemaker! good hub. A shared smile can make a dim day bright:)
This is great, Ripplemaker. I ALWAYS feel good when I'm smiling. Even if I'm not feeling it - if I make myself smile, my entire mood improves.
PS: I voted the second choice, and how cool most everyone else did too
Hi Dolores Monet, I burst out laughing at what you wrote... With your humor, I bet the howdydoody lines won't matter much! :-)
Hi Cobraski, I guess you love sunshine too like me. :-) To brighter days then...keep smiling! :-)
Hi Artisan Walker, it is a good observation. Yes, most people who visited this hub actually loves to smile even at strangers. Isn't that pretty cool? I love all of you for that! :-) And yes, it does improve our mood...A LOT! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
smiling is the most wonderful contagious thing that can happen to you.
Hi RGraf, hahaha yes, if I need to be contaminated with something, then this better be it! :-) Thanks!
What a great hub! Such a simple topic, and it packs a big punch...made me smile : D Thanks!
I had to laugh out loud... I thought the same as you about this hub being very simple. And yet, you see the value in the simple things as much as I do. And it makes me happy to be in the company of those who value the same things as me. :D Glad to see you smiling Enelle. :-)
It must surely be heartwarming to realize that not only did you respond and thrill a child, but received that simple happiness yourself. It must have been one of those 'inadvertant acts of something' or other for you both! :-)
Hi frogyfish, nice to see you drop by my pad. :-) It was truly a heartwarming experience. One that lingered in my heart even after so many months have passed. :-)
smile make me feel younger. thanks for hub.
There's nothing so beautiful as a genuine, honest smile! To see someones eyes light up from inside as their heart swells and glows warm... let's have international smiling day today... and tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, and.... big grins all round! Aunty,xx.
Hi prasetio, and it feels good to feel young LOL :-) Keep those smiles up and about... :-)
Hi Aunty, lets! I see that your avatar is smiling at me too..I couldn't help it, you made me smile back at you. :-) Thanks!
To smile is one of the greatest gifts of all. Your whole world will brighten and if we look hard enough I'm sure we can all find something to smile about. Wonderful hub.
What a powerful message this hub sends out about the simple things in life being the best. It takes a loving person to see how incredible a little girl's reaction to your smile was. How amazing that this little girl gave you such a great memory in a flash of time. Great job ripplemaker and keep making more ripples with your loving spirit. :)
Very nice hub.This hub is very interesting and amazing.I like this hub very much.If a person want to feel better he should give good smile then he feel better and reduce tension.If a person smiling then his blood increase.When the person take the tension then his blood burns.So thanks a lot for this wonderful and interesting sharing.
this is a great hub...impressive...
VioletSun Level 5 Commenter 3 years ago
Hey, I am the first one to comment and to vote ::::big, big, bigger smile::::::::::: :)
Your article reminds us that the most beautiful things in life are free, such as a smile, love, kindness, all that you express so freely.
Thumbs up to this hub!