The author and poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox said “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.”

I have also used the old saying many times, “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” The fact of the matter is that we have to be the creator of our own happiness. And when happiness has run its full course it gives birth to joy.

I decided some time ago, when I was going through a very rough period, I had to start somewhere finding my happiness. It began with my mouth.

I have always tried very hard to be happy when I was around others, to meet people with a smile and a warm greeting. However, I found during this time that what I was conveying was sadness.

Body language will betray you every time!

So I decided to start with a smile. A genuine “glad to see you” smile, a motion and a question.

Smile – not a smirk, a slight grin, but a toothy smile!

Motion – I stopped. I took a moment for the other person.

Question – “How are you today,” with a lilt in my voice that said I really wanted to know.

That became infectious. I found that I was genuinely happy when I asked another how they were and really wanted to know. The feeling seemed to spread from my smile to my heart.

I found too that it was hard to be down or sad about my own state when I was involved in asking another about theirs.

Yes, when they gave a down response it immediately perked something in my psyche, because misery loves company. However, a unique thing happened. When I then allowed my natural compassion for others to take over and I squelched my desire to commiserate I found words of comfort for those needing it and in doing so found comfort myself.

So I say “let ‘em see your teeth!”

You will be amazed how this simple act changes your own feelings and begins the path to happiness.

Smile on!