Smiles mean that someone is happy. If you see someone smiling, you think that something went well in his or her life. Or maybe he or she achieved a goal he or she has been working toward for a while. Or maybe he or she just heard a joke or watched a cat video. No matter the reason for the smile, one truth is that the person smiling is happy...or is it?
Sometimes, people use their smile as a mask to conceal what they truly feel on the inside. These people put on their mask every day and try to act like nothing is wrong. They perform their daily acts with a smiling mask to conceal the truth. The mask is worn for a number of reasons. One reason is for other people. Just as ancient Greek actors put on masks during performances in order to put on a show, people put on smiling masks to put on a show of happiness. Sometimes, smiles can be faked to make other people feel better. Sometimes, smiles can be faked because a person is scared to express their true feelings. If the mask-wearer conceals their feelings for too long, then eventually they will break down and just lose it. All of the emotions that have been bottled up will be released at once, and the mask will fall and break on the ground.
I am one of those people who tries to hide their emotions with a smile. I believe that if I walk around with a smile and act happy, anybody who is having a bad day can see me and be happy as well. Soon enough, I find myself feeling actually happy. The smile that once was a mask is now part of me. Our muscles are so connected to our mind that the actual process of using our mouth muscles creates a sensation of happiness within our brains. One thing that also helps me is having someone I can confide in. I am blessed enough to have friends that are willing to listen to me express my emotions. I can tell them anything and everything without feeling any kind of judgement. And they, too, can tell me their problems, because helping others always make me feel as if I have changed a life, or even just made someone feel good for the day.
Having good friends, or just someone who will listen, is important for everyone, whether or not you wear a smiling mask. Always have at least one person in your life that you can talk to no matter what. If you already have someone to talk to, try to be a confidant for someone else.
