When I read a headline like this, usually, my cynical side acts up in reflex—”Yeah, sure, do you really think I am going to fall for this one?”

But I happen to know, from experience, that there is a way to feel more beautiful and to create a whole day (and who knows, maybe a whole life) where eveything feels, lighter and lifted and more beautiful.

Just a quick caveat here.  

Some people have accused me of being too simple.  But, I can say, wthout apologies, that I like simple.  Simple works. The simpler, faster and less expensive, the better.  I think people who are skeptical and scoff at things that seem to be too simple are usually those who are too hard on themselves, maybe a bit hyper-critical or maybe live with a belief system that says “LIFE IS HARD”, period. So, if you think you might be someone who falls into this mind-set, consider setting aside your judgment for just a minute or two—-this idea will work especially well for you. Or, just stop right here and go pull some weeds.  This post could irritate the Hell out of you.

So, back to beautiful………for the last two weeks, I conducted my own experiment. 

No matter where I went, I smiled at everyone I came into direct contact with.  I made eye contact, smiled—-and added a “thank you” or a “have a nice day”.  That simple.

The guy at the cleaners, who brings my clothes out to the car—-after I run over the “rubber dinger” in the parking lot—-usually looks particularly down-trodden and sad—like the previous customer might have just run over a litter of kittens, only seconds before.  Last Tuesday, I looked right at him and smiled and said “Thanks for all you do to keep us “crispy”.  He actually laughed and said “Thanks, Peggy!”  Who knew that he had ever registered more than “Wilkinson, light starch” in all these days of  two-for-one specials. So from there, I found out his name is Raoul, from Equador.  He is in medical school—the only member of his family that can read or write—living here by himself and studying night and day.  Amazing what some plaid shirts and a smile can create.

At the doctor’s office the other day—-as I signed in—I made a point of looking for, and smiling at, the receptionist.  When I made eye contact, I told her I “just wanted to say hello”.  As she smiled back, she also said—”You are the first person who has smiled at me all day.”  It was 3:30—-a long day full of long faces.

 This is a sweeping generalization but I think Whole Foods, the organic grocery where I shop,  must attend “job fairs” only at the best tatoo parlors around town.  Purple and green hair, spiked into that “Something About Mary” style, often completes the look for many of their employees.    Since I look more like a retired-yet-still-perky  Junior Leaguer, there would appear to be quite a lifestyle gap. 

What I found, in my ‘research’ is that a smile dissolves ANY gap in an instant.  It even creates rapport.  “Paper or Plastic?” can be the start of a mini-conversation.  And, why would you care?

Making a positive connection, even with total strangers is a great way to lose loneliness.  Something as seemingly banal as “Have A Nice Day”, can actually implant the idea and create that possibility in both the smile-er and the smile-ee (who will also reflexively then become a smile-er).

Real, medical research has shown that smiling lowers blood pressure.  It releases endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin.  Smiling, literally lifts your face and makes you appear to be younger.  Studies conducted to determine the perceived age of people—-where photos were shown with the same people smiling or not smiling—–were conclusive.  Those who were smiling were thought, on average,  to be 8 years younger.

Smiling, not only makes you feel better—-but it can provide a huge bonus for those of us who like to be in control—-guess what.  You are.  Smiling is a completely willful act.  You, alone, control what the corners of your mouth are doing.  No one else has dominion over the many muscles which operate your face. 

So, try this.  Go to a mirror and take a look.  Then, smile at yourself.  See how much more beautiful you are?  You could even find that you, appeal to you.  When you take your smile with you as you leave the house, this is what other people see.  Lips up.  Eyes bright.  Lights On. 

Magnetic, attractive, confident energy (regardless of the fact that you are standing there, drenched and concealer-less, steaming from an hour and a half of hot room yoga) is a beautiful, radiant thing to create—all in the blink of an eye.  It’s an even better thing to be the recipient of it.  Smiling is a “pay it forward” that costs nothing.  What would it be like to think of yourself as the perpetual creator of a positive chain reaction? 

I mentioned my experiment to a friend who thought she would feel goofy doing this all day.  Sorta self-conscious.  But you see, only YOU will know what you are doing.  It would be your game and your secret.  Only you will know that you are proactively taking charge of your own well being, while contributing to the well being of others with a simple, but profound, gesture.  Other people will just think you are happy.