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I have always been a positive, happy person, even in the face of inescapable adversity, but the last 10 days have been trying, sometimes to the point I’m not sure my joking, silly self will find her way home. Not being comfortable with this “down” Brenda, I have taken some of my own advice and gone in search of things to laugh about, starting with myself.
This week’s Blog photo always cracks me up! It is a self-portrait taken while I was in the dentist’s chair. It’s one of those faces mothers warn their children not to make for fear they’ll freeze that way. While that didn’t happen, once again, that toothy face made me smile and has made me feel better. More importantly, it’s made me think about the power of a smile. <PREVIEWEND>
We’ve all heard laughter—we are smiling when we laugh—is the best medicine, and research indicates that is true. Smiles make us feel better about ourselves, help us cope with stress, lowers blood pressure and improves our immune system. Smiling also releases endorphins, which act as natural painkillers, plus serotonin, which influences mood, memory and social behavior. Sounds to me like a smile should be the first “drug” we take in the morning.
Smiles are of no value to anyone unless we give them away, even to ourselves in the mirror. While smiles are free, at times they are worth everything to those who receive them. Have you ever noticed how readily a young child smiles? Unlike some adults, whose smile looks like it’s been hastily pulled from their pocket and pasted onto their face, a young child’s smile is instant, genuine and filled with pure delight.
Children are happy, inquisitive, little love sumps. As a matter of fact, it just occurred to me we haven’t sat behind a child at church for the last two Sundays, so I’m hereby putting our congregation on notice: Hang on to your children next week, cause I’m gonna’ smile me one.
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Previous Comments
dakotasondance commented on 09-Mar-2010 11:02 AM Hi, Brenda! I came here from Lynnette Kraft's blog and I'm glad I've found you both! I've enjoyed reading about both of you! I am sure to spend the day smiling a bit more after reading your latest entry! :o)
Lynnette Kraft commented on 09-Mar-2010 07:24 PM Okay - that made me LAUGH!! Too funny. :) I'm sorry you've had a time of it lately, but good for you - making yourself smile anyway (and making me smile too).
Tara commented on 10-Mar-2010 02:29 PM What a great photo, and excellent post! What you say about children smiling so easily is true (my youngest smiles non-stop), how sad we let often let that fade away. Thanks for the reminder to choose to smile (and laugh) more often.
kelly commented on 13-Mar-2010 10:08 PM
Ok, that picture is really funny. I actually just had some dental work done (not funny) but necessary. My little gem for today is: floss daily. =0) Thanks for the reminder to smile. =) Kelly
ps just hopped over here from Lynette's blog.
ps just hopped over here from Lynette's blog.
Online Trading commented on 04-Sep-2010 05:13 AM Thank you for this great information, you write very well which i like very much. I really impressed by your post.
Online Trading commented on 04-Sep-2010 05:14 AM Thank you for this great information, you write very well which i like very much. I really impressed by your post.
Steve commented on 18-Sep-2010 07:38 PM Brenda:
I don’t know the status of your fight with breast cancer, but I admire your spirit. I have two co-workers and friends who are still battling the disease. Cancer is a tough enough adversary without having to also deal with disfigurement and loss of esteem that goes right to the core of one’s self image. My friends are truly courageous, as most assuredly, you are as well. I forwarded some of your e-mails to one of my friends.
I look forward to seeing you again. You will be in my prayers.
Steve Sundby
I don’t know the status of your fight with breast cancer, but I admire your spirit. I have two co-workers and friends who are still battling the disease. Cancer is a tough enough adversary without having to also deal with disfigurement and loss of esteem that goes right to the core of one’s self image. My friends are truly courageous, as most assuredly, you are as well. I forwarded some of your e-mails to one of my friends.
I look forward to seeing you again. You will be in my prayers.
Steve Sundby
Pat Guantt commented on 18-Sep-2010 07:39 PM BRENDA BRENDA, BRENDA........Made my day!!!!!! your the best, Pat Gauntt
Jason commented on 18-Sep-2010 07:40 PM Awesome…passing on to my friends.
Harley commented on 18-Sep-2010 07:41 PM NICE TEETH!!!!!!
Dixie commented on 18-Sep-2010 07:42 PM That’s beautiful – I need to be sitting in the chair..
Have a great day...
Have a great day...
Miriam commented on 18-Sep-2010 07:42 PM Never thought I’d see you looking like that.
Susan Pollack commented on 18-Sep-2010 07:44 PM fABULOUS, YOU HIT ANOTHER HOME RUN! ( Did I tell you I'm a baseball fan?) Hope the move went better then anticipated, thinking of you with love. Susan
Online Trading commented on 01-Oct-2010 12:54 AM I really appreciate your professional approach. These are pieces of very useful information that will be of great use for me in future.
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WHAT A HOOT!
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE OUR DESKS IN THE SAME OFFICE AND I HAD JUST TOLD HIM THAT FOR SOME REASON I JUST FELT LIKE "BOO-HOOING." HE WAS LISTENING TO UNT BASKETBALL AND I WAS ON THE INTERNET CAME ACROSS YOUR BLOG AND I BURST OUT LAUGHING! HE JUMPED AND SAID "I THOUGHT YOU WERE READY TO CRY" THANKS FOR THE COMIC RELIEF!