The wonderful thing about a smile is that you always have an extra to spare. Because as soon as you give it away…Presto! You have another one just waiting to be shared.
One of the four categories of this blog is frugal. That’s all about saving money, living simply without the need for very expensive tastes.
Being frugal with money is one thing. Being frugal with smiles is quite another. For most of us, money is a limited resource. Being frugal means allocating limited funds where they are most needed, rather than being frivolous with it.
Tweet this quote: “Smiles are the ultimate renewable resource. Don’t be stingy with them.“
But smiles are not limited. They are the ultimate renewable resource. No matter how many smiles you give away, you will always have as many as you started with. In fact, you’ll have more, because every smile you share will get you at least one smile shared back, if not dozens. Loaves and fishes are all very well I suppose, but a smile replenishes itself just as well and it won’t go stale by tomorrow.
The man in this photo, snapped on Queen Street in Toronto, asks us whether we are willing to spare a smile.
Children spare a smile. You can too!
Children smile a lot. They will smile for almost any reason, and for no reason at all. Adults don’t smile nearly as much. Why?
Smiles open doors. Do adults not need any doors opened for them?
Smiles make friends. Do adults not want friends?
Smiles reduce stress. Do adults like stress?
In fact, the only stress reliever in shorter supply among adults than smiling is laughter. Yes, that most amazing, all-natural stress reliever that adults seem to find so hard to embrace.
Read also: The Happiness Poem
But laughter is smiling. It’s smiling big and wide. Did you know that in Spanish the word for smile is “sonreír” and the word for laughter is “reír”? In French, the word for smile is “sourire” and the word for laughter is “rire”. Coincidence? I think not.
We have both laughter and smiles in endless abundance. There is no reason to be stingy with them. Share as many smiles as you can. Laugh as often as possible. Watch how your life improves the more often you spare a smile.
* Photo credit, with permission: Sam Javanrouh
Hi David,
🙂
I love smiling.
Cheap, easy to do and let me tell you, flashing the million dollar grin – at least that is what people tell me – makes you popular.
All it takes is a second.
Flex those mouth muscles.
Smile.
Be happy. You never know how your smile can change someone else’s life. This is why I smile like mad. Picks up my energy and the energy of people around me.
Thanks for sharing.
Ryan
I love this! I’m always smiling – it makes people wonder what I’m up to. 😉
A smile lights up your face- and changes the way you talk. So, first smile- then open your mouth!
Such a simple thing to do, yet it’s so hard to remember! I seem to get caught up in my life and start taking myself waaaayyyy to seriously. Thanks for the reminder!
I am a smiler. I am the girl who walks down the hall or street and smiles at strangers. I totally agree with this post and loved that you shared it today!!! The Happy Guy made me a Happy Gal Today!
😀
Traci
Great post! Smiles are free but they make such a difference! x
Hi David
Can always spare a smile. Thanks
Smiling is contagious….and like Star Traci I’m a smiler too :).
When I was working in Customer Service my manager would tells us to talk with a smile on our face and even gave us a mirror we can look into…it worked :).
Happy Tuesday!
That’s why I moved to live in the “land of smiles” – Thailand a couple of years ago. Got tired of sad and angry faces in Europe.
Wary, intimidated people don’t smile. And they look at you like you’re crazy if you smile at them. Well… walking around with dour looks just ensures we create a climate in which wariness and intimidation thrive. So to heck with it – I can stand to look a little crazy. 😉
Love this idea. Smiling is such a great thing. When situations are tense I have found a loving smile really helps. It helps everyone’s anxiety and immediately lightens the mood. Really liked the Spanish and French connections. Very well done David and thanks for the upbeat message today.
The gentleman that is pictured in this photo is named Ozz, since this photo was taken he has gotten off the streets and has been employed by Green Choice Moto @ 321 College St. Toronto!
That is awesome, Ozz. Whatever he is doing, it is superb that he is smiling. 😉