What’s on your Thanksgiving gratitude list? Now is an ideal time to reflect on your gratitude and express appreciation for the positive in your life. There are many categories for a grateful heart to choose from, such as feeling grateful for family and friends, experiences like travel and special events, and the beauty of nature and comforts, especially a warm bed and favorite foods. I’m appreciative of so many blessings in my life, more than this column could convey.
So I’ll share a few thoughts about one thing in particular – how appreciative I am for smiles. A smile costs nothing to give, and yet it can offer so many rewards beyond the initial interaction. As I reflect on experiences that I’ve enjoyed because of a smile, I think of all the people in my world travels who shared a smile with me.
In particular, I remember an early morning in Jamaica when I was out walking near my hotel and noticed an outdoor market. A lovely lady with the most gorgeous smile called to me. Juanita was her name, and she was making breakfast.
She beckoned me to join her and her family, and we had such a great time, all because of her smile. Smiling at others, whether you know them or not, benefits our mental and physical well-being. Psychologically, smiles are contagious.
When you smile at someone, both brains release dopamine and serotonin, which can elevate mood and reduce stress and create a cycle of positivity. A smile can facilitate social interactions and help forge new relations.