Smiling Allows You to Look At the Positive in Something that May Seem Negative

People frequently approach me questioning: how are you always smiling? Let me start by saying I love this question. It is a compliment to me! My nickname growing up by my coaches, adults, teachers, and tutors relied on my smiley demeanor, indicating me being addressed as “Ms. Smiley” in the classroom, on the ice as a figure skater, or even on the track. Let me provide a sneak peek at where this name comes from. As a competitive runner, I do unexpectedly poorly in a one-track event, but I laugh it off. Although I may be disappointed, I look at the situation optimistically with a smile, and automatically, my body’s stress decreases and speeds up the recovery. This empowers me to compete at a high performance for my next track event that day, rather than holding on to emotions that arose from a bad race earlier, frequently leading me to secure the “gold”. Roasted aggressively by my two older brothers, probably about how much I talk, and how they do not necessarily always care; well, I smile and laugh it off and continue to bother them, like a typical younger sister. Thus, smiling can help you focus on positive aspects, in negative situations and boost self-esteem.

 

Smiling Builds Connections and Opens Up Possibilities 

I have analyzed that there is a direct correlation between the number of friends and people I talk to in a day and my smiley appearance, suggesting that smiling opens up new opportunities for me. A simple smile makes me approachable to all individuals, even those I may not know. I cherish moments where I meet new individuals and expand my connections, as well as knowledge. I find it rather difficult to approach an individual with a resting impression because it often conveys annoyed or contemptuous attitudes to the outside world, worrying me about how they will react to my approach, or if they will misinterpret my intentions. With a smiling impression, friends look to me as more trustworthy as it portrays a willingness to help and respect the other person, through a simple smile when interacting with them. Essentially, smiling leads strangers to speak to me, and friends to open up to me. 

 

Smiling Spreads Positivity

Of course, I acknowledge that it is simply unreasonable to always be happy or even smiling. However, think about this: when you’re just strolling the aisles in a grocery store, and someone pops a little smile out, the motion is contagious, and it is unbearable to leak a smile back. In truth, it is impolite to merely turn your face. The chain reaction of a smile can do large amounts to induce positivity in society and build a sense of community and comfort within individuals. There is absolutely nothing negative that can come out of offering a smile. You can frequently jump to conclude that an insecure or scared individual’s stature is a closed-off, serious appearance, which can sometimes lead to exclusion or neglect. Instead, individuals like me travel with bold smiles, suggesting that I am happy with where I am and peaceful with what I have, inspiring others to act the same. 

 

Smiling Indicates Energy 

  As a collegiate athlete, my practice schedule forces me to wake up at the crack of dawn. To be a competitive athlete, I must receive 8-9 hours of sleep each night to recover from the intense workouts. 

My schedule is as follows:

9:45pm- Head to bed

6:45am- Stop the alarm, and wake up to get ready for practice

7:15-am- Go to practice

9:15am- Practice ends

With this simple schedule, my body is filled with active satisfaction after each workout, rather than lethargic pain. “Smiley does not stop smiling regardless of how hard the workout is; she just messes around and has fun. Smile like her,” my high school coach would say. With his long coaching experience comes wiseness, in the form of long lectures. Nonetheless, he helps his athletes understand that the smile on one’s face indicates that the individual is not tired but energetic and ready to go, which can grant ease during a workout. In a competitive environment, a positive mindset is key to outstanding performance. If a body is energetic and happy, the performance follows. If the body is tired, the individual complains of pain, making workouts go by slower, and feel more straining.

 

Smiling Generates Compliments

Smiling comes with the advantage of compliments! Trust me when I say that. It is not simply compliments on the fact that one is smiling. Rather, many people have approached me saying, “You have such great teeth,” “Your smile gleams,” or “Your teeth are so white.” Compliments are the best thing to receive; they make the heart feel warm and nourished when another individual says something positive.

 

Smiling Is Fun

 I can confidently say people enjoy being around me because I do not take offense to others, but rather let loose, smirk, laugh, and occasionally throw in a “your mom joke,” which always, I mean always, brings at least a small giggle from those I surround myself with. Even when my friends or family grow annoyed with my corny jokes, their attempt to hold back their smile fails, and I am content to see others smiling and laughing with me, or even at me sometimes. To put this in perspective through experience, growing up, I talked so much that even my grandparents, who are frequently known to ramble on and on, would call me “Baturi,” a lighthearted Hindi word meaning excessively talkative. I place immense value on talking to others! In fact, it acts as a reward in my day!  I find it most enjoyable to be around individuals who let loose and are playful at some moments in the day because it feels as though the energy is matched, and the output of joy is mutualistic. 

This ultimately leads to my response to the frequently asked question to go something like this: “It’s a habit. I do not even think about it. It just appears on my face while vibing and smiling! You should try it too!”