Smiling is one of the simplest, most powerful ways we can shift our energy—and the energy of those around us. It’s a small act that costs nothing but has the potential to change everything about a moment.
I smile a lot. It’s something I’ve always done naturally, but as I’ve become more intentional about being present, I’ve realized just how important it really is. When I smile at my daughters, even now as they’re getting older, I still get that beautiful, familiar smile in return. It’s a silent exchange that reminds me we’re connected—even when life is moving fast.
I smile at strangers in the grocery store, at coworkers in meetings, at the barista handing me my coffee, and even to myself in the car when no one’s watching. And you know what? Most of the time, people smile back. Not because everything is perfect, but because a smile creates space for joy—and sometimes, that’s exactly what someone needs to keep going.
There’s science behind this too. Smiling releases endorphins, lowers stress, and boosts your immune system. In one of my favorite quick TED Talks, Ron Gutman shares that smiling can be as stimulating to your brain as eating 2,000 bars of chocolate. (Yes, really.) Even more incredible? People who smile more tend to live longer. Apparently, joy leaves a mark not just on our mood—but on our health.
What I love most about a smile is how present it is. You can’t fake a real one. It happens in a moment that matters—when something makes you pause, laugh, connect, or feel seen. Smiling grounds us in right now.
I’m reminded of this in the simplest ways—like when I catch a wide, nose-crinkling grin from one of my daughters, or we burst into laughter over something silly. These are the moments I cherish. These are the moments I want more of.
So here’s my gentle nudge to you: Smile more.
At yourself. At your people. At the everyday.
Let it be your cue to pause, take a breath, and remember that there is still joy—even on the hardest days. Smiling doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It just means you’re choosing to be present in a way that invites connection, kindness, and light.
And that’s something the world could always use more of.
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