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.

“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!