Lately, I had an interesting discussion with my business partner. He told me that on the way to work, he heard about a study on the radio. When you smile at someone, something begins to change in the brain cells of the other person. They are more responsive which has an effect on that person again who smiled in the first place. Also, there something changes in the brain cells which, in the end, makes both experience feelings of happiness. A smile does indeed connect, but it seems that is is a result of a switch the brain makes. And we know what an influence the brain has on our feelings.

Didn’t we all know it that a smile is a gift for both people involved? But I always think it is so amazing when science can prove what we already know without needing proof. In my opinion, a smile activates quite a few mechanisms in a person. One visible sign is that it gives you a glow and makes you look beautiful regardless of how you look like at that moment. But there is much more…

When someone smiles at me, it says:
I see you. I see YOU! I don’t care who you are, where you are from, where you went through, what you had for breakfast. You are worthwhile. I respect you the way you are. You are understood regardless of me understanding you.
Now, what does this unspoken message do to me?
It makes me see that there is more around me than possible the problems I am turning, the health issue I am facing, the exam I am so nervous about, the pressure at work, the mean things others may have said. That causes me to smile back and at that moment something miraculous happens: I am reflexively distancing from all that I am not. That way, a possible feeling of restriction inside of me dissolves which reduces the stress level immediately. It lifts me above what surrounds me and makes room for myself and my energy again. It increases my self-esteem and gives my feet a stable ground to stand on. A message appears on my mind: Stand up, dust yourself off, look up, take a breath, smile, and move on! A smile can take me back on my path and reminds me of what I am actually here for.
Knowing about the intense effects a smile can have, how much happiness does it give to me when I see that my smile provoked a smile in my encounter? That smile coming back has the same effect on the person who was already smiling.

My business partner said, but doesn’t it mean that I can manipulate people with a smile in order that they are more cooperative? Hmm, good question! Yes, I think up to a certain level that can happen. Many scammers are playing that role well, unfortunately. But I don’t think it works in the long run when the inner feeling is not in alignment with the action. I could 🤮 when I notice that someone smiles, talks nicely, and makes compliments in a kiss-a**-attitude. I can almost smell the false intention which in the end, has the opposite effect on me.

But yes, I agree, smiling at someone has an effect that can change something in that person’s attitude. Call it manipulation or not. Since smiling is a natural expression which we practice from birth on, it is part of the survival tactic of nature because of the enchanting effect of a smiling baby. Doesn’t a smile simply take us back to who we are? Our real nature is happiness, wellbeing, joy, feeling alive, and what is better than aligning with who we are? If someone supports that only with a smile, what better could happen?

A heartfelt smile shared causes smiles with all the magic they hold. Smile for the joy of others and for your own sake. Hope, you are smiling right now 😊

In Love, Light, and Happiness