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Want More Joy? Here’s Something to Smile About

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It was her style which first caught my attention.  We were navigating the same parking lot and moving as quickly as possible toward a medical building where I know an appointment waited for me and most likely for her as well.  She was stunning.  Very svelte…gracious movements…impeccable fashion sense with neatly pressed cotton pinstriped trousers and a silky white blouse.  The crowning glory was a fedora sitting atop a perfectly combed silver bob.   She obviously cared about her appearance, yet when we finally reached the elevator, I noticed her scowl.  The entire look of her wardrobe was diminished by the first appearance of a huge frown across her face.  I was actually taken aback by her demeanor… she seemed angry…but, I did not let it stop my attempt at connection.

smile at someone, share joy, be friendly ad smile, smiles are contagious, midlife, midlife women, beautiful women

“Your outfit is beautiful,” I said.

She was obviously surprised that a strange woman would comment. “Thank you,” she said…small smile.

“But, what I really want to know is how do you keep that complexion?  Your skin is so pretty,” I continued.

That brought a huge smile! ”You are so kind.  I appreciate you saying something, because I spend a lot of time on my skin.”

“It shows,” I said as I left the elevator.  The moment was over.

In the last three years, helping women smile has become one of my favorite daily activities.  There is something beautiful about every woman and sometimes we just need another woman to help us see it. Smile building…we can all partake.  I would like to challenge you to jump on this bandwagon.

If you set a goal of just one day to leave your house determined to help others around you smile and assist them to see their best, then the results are really selfish. You see that YOU are the one who feels amazing at the end of the day.  Joy is contagious and need only be shared.  Some of you will scoff and think…I don’t feel like it.  What a waste of time. I do not have the courage to do that!  I am not a touchy-feely person.  Well, there is actually research about how joy and compassion will bring you more success in life and better health over all.

Something as small as complimenting women around you can lead to increasing your own joy.  You have to trust me on this one and just try it.  The downside of social media is that society has become very good at bashing…criticizing…dividing…scowling over the airwaves.  It is not a dishonest thing to reach out to others and help them to find their most outstanding features, because everyone is outstanding in some way.  What is great about these brief encounters is that we are connecting woman to woman – not tainted by cultural differences or belief systems.

So again, ladies, here is the challenge…pick just one day a week and make it your goal to smile and compliment as many around you as possible.  Then let me know how you feel at the end of the day.

The official beginning of spring is just two days away.  Need a new wardrobe? Let’s sing it…”You’re never fully dressed without a smile!”

Thanks for stopping by The Joy Boutique. Have a springy- wonderful-week!

midlife boulevard, columnist, midlife women, middle-age, midlife crisis

Pamela Lutrell

Pamela Lutrell began her blog, over50feeling40, July 2010 with a desire to encourage women over 50 to walk in strength, confidence and joy. Of course, head turning style makes each day fun!

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Teresa Vincent

Friday 21st of March 2014

I LOVE this and totally agree! It has been my mission for as long as I can remember to just spread sunshine! I talk to everyone when I travel (and I travel SOLO a lot). Stepping into their World with just a simple smile and a few words can change their life completely. I see it happen on a daily basis. Its kind of the root reason why I started my own website and blog a year ago http://www.JoyfulJourneyist.com I want to just spread Sunshine all over the land and gave myself a name that was easy so people could find me all over social media. Love the connections I make (in person and in cyberspace) because I don't just step out of my "box", I LEAP OUT OF IT!

Haralee

Thursday 20th of March 2014

I am a firm believer in smiling and holding open doors and please and thank-you. I compliment men and women and kids. I love when some one out of the blue compliments me so I like to reciprocate.

Jo Beth Force

Tuesday 18th of March 2014

I do this every day. My daughter commented once that I am a bubbly puppy. I talk to people everywhere. I responded by asking "and?" She thought a moment and replied that I always make people happy and make them smile. She noticed someone right then- her age - wearing a great belt that she liked. I insisted she go over and compliment the girl on it. She balked at first. After she did bringing a big smile to each of them, I asked her how she felt. "Happy and in a much better mood". She paused, looked at me and stated that she understood how everyone needs a word of kindness- or simple acknowledgement with a smile included. She shares my theme song by Carole King - You've got to get up Every morning with a smile on your face and show the world all the love in your heart - adopted by us after our lives changed when my MS hit hard. She has the attitude of sharing a smile and compliments but refuses to be a "bubbly puppy"!

Elaine @ Following Augustine

Tuesday 18th of March 2014

It's amazing the difference that a simple smile can make. When I lived in Asia and was separated from everyone around me by the language barrier, I made a point of looking people in the eye and smiling. More often than not, they would smile back and a tiny cross-cultural connection was made. It always made me feel so good. It's also made me bolder about reaching out with a smile or a word of encouragement now that I'm back home.

Karena

Tuesday 18th of March 2014

Pam I am definitely in on this! I do it randomly all of the time, however believe a day devoted to spreading his kind of joy is perfect!

Xoxo Karena The Arts by Karena

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